By Kris Miller
Each year a group of youth from Vicksburg United Methodist Church, grades 6 through 12, venture to another state to assist those in need. They will raise funds for next summer’s trip at a luncheon of sausage and gravy on October 13, with the public invited to partake.
The next trip, known as the “Week of Hope” will take the group of 18-24 students and adults to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During this week the group will serve at the Boys and Girls Club Kids Camp, assist a housing organization by processing and organizing donated items, help at the food pantry, and launch a local church food bank and clothing ministry. Work will also be accomplished with an international humanitarian organization and local seniors that need inside and outside work done at their homes.
Each youth participating in this event donates a week of their summer as well as their own financial means to help others. In the Vicksburg community, this same group of youth attends weekly meetings to grow their faith and friendships among their team. They assist locally by volunteering at VUMC’s Vacation Bible School held each June, painting in the church, and assisting the church with outdoor projects. The also hold three fund-raising meals to assist with the cost of this important work. Each event is held as a donation event and all are welcome – church membership is not required. These events are held in the Life Center at Vicksburg United Methodist Church as follows: Sausage Gravy Luncheon October 13 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Chili Cookoff January 5 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and Italian Dinner April 20 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.