Lakeview United Methodist Church, 10298 W. Thunderbird Blvd., is sponsoring three donation programs to assist the families of the Valley View Food Bank.  The Missions and Outreach Committee is continuing their birthday box and backpack programs and has initiated a bottled water collection drive.

The birthday box program began in April of this year and has already become a success by handing out 70 boxes to the Valley View children. These boxes are completely ready for the family to have a party, with food, favors and decorations. Item donations needed to be able to continue this program are cake mixes (only vanilla and chocolate), cans of frosting (only vanilla and chocolate), cupcake holder packages, birthday candle packages, squawker party favors and packages of children’s chapsticks. Monetary donations will also be accepted to purchase themed birthday napkins/plates/tablecloths and small toys/candy/gum to fill guest bags.

The backpack program, another successful project, will fill 196 backpacks, 98 for children and 98 for teens this year. Each backpack will contain 20 items to help with school supplies. The committee will purchase the backpacks and supplies, but would appreciate monetary donations to assist with defraying their costs.

The bottled water collection drive will help the Valley View Food Bank distribute water to those in need during the hot Arizona summer months. If unable to purchase and carry/lift cases of water, monetary donations will allow the committee to buy water cases in bulk.

Donations for the birthday boxes or water collection drive can be brought to the church office or Smoot Hall. Monetary donations for any of the three programs can be sent to and written out to the church with a notation on the envelope or “for” or “memo” section at the bottom of the check to name which program the check should be used to support.

Contact the church office at 623-974-5821, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday, for more information.