[Episcopal Diocese of Texas] Last summer, Melissa Peter had the idea of helping children in Houston’s Third Ward and began asking how to help at Blackshear Elementary School. To her surprise, the administration told her they received almost no community support, and she resolved to make a difference with the help of Holy Spirit Episcopal Church and School in Houston.

Together with Holy Spirit’s director of parish life, KariAnn Lessner, and volunteers throughout the church and school, Shear Blessings in a Backpack was born in September 2012. The program, which was inspired by the national Blessings in a Backpack organization, originally provided weekend food for 50 qualifying children, but as word spread, the program grew. By the spring, Shear Blessings delivered their 5,000th food bag.

To learn more about Shear Blessings, watch the video here or click here. Or follow them on Facebook here.