A ministry in White Hall is helping teachers receive extra supplies to help their students thrive.
During its first year, the Apples for Teachers program, started in 2022 at First Baptist Church in White Hall, helped more than 30 teachers within the White Hall School District get the supplies that they needed.
“The Apples for Teachers ministry is such a blessing. For us teachers, the support through supply donations from our church families and community alleviates the worry of making sure we have what is needed to provide optimal learning experiences for our students. Even more, Apples for Teachers reaches beyond a physical need; our souls and those of our students are affected by the prayers of apple sponsors. Personally, the impact of this ministry is immeasurable, and I am grateful to God to see His love through these precious sponsors,” said Jordan Drye, a teacher within the White Hall School District.
Children’s Minister Jennifer Weaver, who developed the program with her ministry intern Isabella Tomboli, said supply costs add up and many teachers could do much more if given help with purchasing the items on their wish list.
“This is such a great program. I was blessed with so many things from my wish list last year. It is amazing to see our church open this up to the White Hall-Redfield community,” teacher Deana Hulse said.
Weaver said their goal this year is to help even more teachers within the district. She is inviting other churches to participate. A few churches already participating include Family Church in White Hall, Shannon Road Baptist Church in Pine Bluff and Family Church in Redfield as well as Methodist and Church of God churches.
“We love giving gifts to our teachers and encouraging them, and this is a big way for us to reach out to our community. They have a huge job, and we want to partner with them in a huge way,” Weaver said.
Churches interested in participating can contact Weaver by July 11. Her email is [email protected].
How it works
“Apples” will be sent to participating churches during the months of July and August. The apples will have the teacher’s info and a QR code for a smartphone to scan. That code will take whoever selects the apple to the teacher’s Amazon wish list.
Churches can hang up the apples in their foyer to allow people to pick them up or pass them out to various small groups or classes within the church. Additionally, Weaver encouraged sponsors to take the apple home and pray for their teacher.
Although the ministry is currently just for teachers in the White Hall School District, Weaver said she is more than happy to help other communities start the ministry in their area.
Contact Weaver at [email protected] to request apples or for any questions about Apples for teachers.