Every Thursday afternoon during the school year, Glenn Memorial UMC’s Youth & Activities Building (YAAB) comes alive. The smell of fresh fruit, accompanied by the sounds of conversation and laughter, fills the space with energy and warmth. Behind the cheerful atmosphere is the dedicated work of retirees, Glenn members, high school students, and Emory students who volunteer with Snack in a Backpack.
Snack in a Backpack, affectionately known as “Snack” by volunteers and church members, provides weekend food bags to children in local schools who may otherwise go hungry when school is not in session. Each week, the ministry serves more than 400 children and distributes over 16,000 bags of food each year.
Among the many volunteers who generously give their time is Adam Landstein, a recent graduate of Emory University with a degree in Neuroscience and Behavioral Science. Adam began volunteering with Snack during his freshman year after learning about the ministry through Alpha Phi Omega (APO), Emory’s service-based fraternity. When asked about a special memory from his time with Snack, Adam reflected on the many Glenn members he has met who are Emory alumni. He treasures hearing their stories from decades past and comparing it to his own college experience.
Because Glenn is located on Emory’s campus, the connection between the church and the university runs deep. Through ministries like Snack, Glenn members help preserve and share the living history of Emory, passing stories and experiences from one generation to the next. Many current Emory students find comfort in discovering that many of the traditions, challenges, and experiences of life at Emory have remained consistent over the years.
Like Adam, Morgan Cox was introduced to Snack through APO. A rising senior majoring in Neuroscience and Behavioral Science, Morgan balances a demanding academic schedule with her commitments as a member of Emory’s track and field team. Despite her busy schedule, she continues to make serving her community a priority.
Morgan shared that Snack never felt like an obligation to fulfill volunteer-hour requirements. Instead, it became a bright spot in her week and a welcome respite from the demands of college life. Even after completing her required service hours, she continued volunteering through the end of the semester because Snack had become more than a volunteer opportunity. It had become one of her communities.
Both Morgan and Adam share the Jewish faith, and when asked why they continue to volunteer at a church-based ministry, they shared the same answer, “the people.” Morgan laughed as she recalled her mother joking that she spends more time at Glenn through Snack than she does at her own synagogue. Both students spoke about how welcomed they have felt at Glenn and how Snack has created opportunities for meaningful interfaith conversations and friendships. They describe the ministry as a place where people from different backgrounds can serve together and learn from one another.
As they look to the future, Adam and Morgan hope that the partnership between Emory and Snack in a Backpack continues to grow. They envision more opportunities for students and church members to serve alongside each other while building relationships and strengthening the bonds between campus and community.
Snack in a Backpack demonstrates the unique relationship between Glenn Memorial and Emory University. What begins as a weekly service project becomes something much deeper. Snack is a place where generations connect and where students find belonging beyond Emory classrooms. Through shared service, Glenn and Emory continue to build a community that not only helps families & children facing food insecurity, but also relationships that make both institutions stronger.