About Us

Get to know more about what makes us different.

HeartF.E.L.T. was created in 2010 to fill empty little tummies of elementary aged children, and their siblings, within our community.  Annually, HeartF.E.L.T. serves between 65-120 children at seven local elementary schools during the school year who typically do not have access to food beyond the typical school meals offered. HeartF.E.L.T. runs solely on monetary donations and donations of food from the community and congregation. 
HeartF.E.L.T. is solely volunteer lead and run. Our volunteer coordinator works with partner schools to identify children who are at risk for chronic hunger and then multiple other volunteers pack and deliver food to our partner schools to distribute to our HeartFELT children. If you would like more information, please email Melissa Ewen, HeartF.E.L.T. Coordinator. For a complete food list, see below.

HeartF.E.L.T. FOOD LIST

At HeartF.E.L.T. ensure students receive two breakfasts, two lunches, two fruits, and two snacks each and every week during the school year.

We strive to ensure that each bag is the same each week so that no student feels another got something "better" than they did. We want to be sure we are being a blessing to students by showing them the love of Jesus through these bags. Menus do change weekly, however.

Below is a complete list of the food, along with sizes, that we send home each school year.  All food donations can be dropped off to the church office Monday-Thursday 11am-2pm or on Sundays during service to the info desk.
Cereal
Single serve, any flavor, cup style
Instant Oatmeal
Individually wrapped, any flavor, cup style
Apple Sauce
4oz package of 6, foil top
Fruit Cups
4oz, removable plastic lid
Peanut Butter Crackers
6 count, individually wrapped
Cheese Crackers
6 count, individually wrapped
Easy Mac n Cheese
Single Serve, microwavable, cup style
Chicken & Rice Soup
10 1/2oz can, pop-top lid
Chicken Noodle Soup
10 1/2oz can, pop-top lid
Tomato Soup
10 1/2oz can, pop-top lid
Ramen Noodles
cups only, any flavor
Ravioli
15oz can, pop-top lid
Spaghetti & Meatballs
15oz can, pop-top lid
Spaghetti O's
15oz can, pop-top lid
Peanut Butter
16-18oz plastic jar
Protein Bars
Single-serve packaging
Fruit Snacks
Single-serve packaging
Vienna Sausages
4.6oz cans, pop-top lid
Apple Juice Boxes
small, individual
Milk Boxes
small, individual
Carnation Instant Breakfast
Individual, pre-prepared
Spoons
must be individually wrapped

HeartF.E.L.T. is a ministry of HopeRising, Inc.
in partnership with St. James UMC.

Contact us at HeartFELT@stjamestampa.org

HeartF.E.L.T. exists to ensure no child has to worry about food insecurity during the school year.