Below is an endearing story from the Nelson family in Northbrook, IL, about teaching their children to give:
The first year the banks were used, we attached the World Relief label and plastic cover to an empty soup can and placed it on our kitchen table. We explained to our young daughters that we should put money in it to help poor children in other countries. Then on Thanksgiving morning we would bring the bank to the Thanksgiving service at North Park Covenant Church (Chicago). This daily ritual gave us a chance to explain how so many children around the world didn’t have enough to eat. As the weeks passed, the bank became heavy with our coins.
Thanksgiving morning came, and our daughters excitedly walked over with us to the church. Holding the bank, our daughter Sonja looked all around at the familiar congregation and finally whispered, “Where are all the poor children?”
We are grateful that the soup cans make such an impact, both for the individuals and families who use them and for those around the world who benefit from them. If you have a story you would like to share, please send it to us at covenantworldrelief(at)covchurch.org or by mail to Covenant World Relief, 8303 W. Higgins Rd, Chicago, IL 60631. Thank you!
