Preceptor Pi chapter of Beta Sigma Phi has been donating fruit each month to the First United Methodist Church’s Fruit Fillers Weekend Backpack Project since it began in January 2014. Retired veterinarian Terry Turner, coordinator of the program, spoke to members about the Fruit Fillers project at their Sept. 4 meeting. 

Turner said the program gives two pieces of fruit, usually oranges, apples or bananas, on Fridays during the school year to each child eligible for the free or reduced lunch program in the five elementary schools in Great Bend. Approximately 50 students receive the fruit in their backpacks each week.

Turner thanked Preceptor Pi members for their continuing support. Church members and other community members also donate to the project by providing fruit or money to purchase the fruit. Volunteers meet at the church to put the fruit into bags for the students. A volunteer then delivers the fruit to the teachers at each school. They place the bags in the students’ backpacks before they leave school on Friday.

Turner said he got the idea for the Fruit Fillers project when he went to a retreat at United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood. Adam Hamilton, senior pastor of Church of the Resurrection, had started the fruit fillers project at his church. Turner thought it would be a beneficial program for the schools in Great Bend. He brought the idea back to Great Bend First United Methodist Church and started the Fruit Fillers Weekend Backpack Project here.