The start of the new school year brings the return of Snack Pack Ministry, an all-volunteer program that provides nourishing groceries to food insecure students in local schools. After weathering the pandemic uninterrupted during the 2020-21 school year, snack packers returned to East Brainerd Church of Christ last week to fill 6,500 bags. The bags will serve 2,010 students at 19 schools for three and a-half weeks, says program lead Janice Roberson, a Realtor with Real Estate Partners. Roberson says the program needs about $102,000 in additional donations to purchase enough groceries for the 2021-22 school year. Donations are accepted at eastbrainerdchurch.org/give. To volunteer as a snack packer, call Roberson at 423 595-1093. Pictured are Roberson, right, and Snack Pack volunteer Anita Kapperman.