When Margie Stoner was called in front of the Ridgefield School District Board of Trustees recently, she was shocked and a little bit embarrassed. But for all the right reasons.
A longtime member of Ridgefield United Methodist Church in Ridgefield, Wash., Stoner recently retired from her “volunteer” role of supplying weekend food bags for low-income students in the Ridgefield School District. And she was honored by the district as one of its best citizen volunteers for the work she started 15 years ago.
“I was shocked,” Stoner said of the honor. “I’m not doing this for me, this is for the kids.”
With financial support from her church, Stoner spent the last 15 years building relationships with school counselors, going to the grocery store, stuffing the bags and delivering to each school, mostly by herself. She started with eight kids and now the program provides backpacks for more than 90 students.
“I can’t stand to think about a hungry child on a weekend,” Stoner said. “It just gets to me.”
Her caseload evolved so rapidly over the years as Ridgefield has grown, too. Located in southwest Washington, Ridgefield has been labeled as one of the fastest growing communities in the state.
As it became evident the 82-year-old could no longer take care of this by herself, members of the congregation have stepped in to continue supporting the weekly program and are expanding their efforts. For the first time, students in need will be sent home with a grocery bag full of food to last through spring break.
The church is in the process of applying for grant funding to expand to a summer feeding program that will create drop-off locations in the community, said Rev. Dr. JoAnn Schaadt, pastor of Ridgefield UMC. The church works closely with the Ridgefield School District’s Family Resource Center to develop its programs in line with what the actual needs are for students.
“Now the whole church is involved,” Schaadt said. “We’re trying to get closer to the kids.”
Not only was Stoner recognized by the school board, but her church held a celebration for her this March where they raised $1,600 and have determined as they move forward, this ministry will be called the Margie Stoner Backpack Program.
Again, Stoner shakes off the acknowledgment but is grateful her faith community believes in this ministry.
“I’m super happy it’s going to go on,” she said, and repeated, “I cannot stand to think about a hungry child.”
