Tapestry of Faith: Windows and Mirrors: A Program about Diversity for Grades 4-5

Faith In Action: Seven Cents a Day

Activity time: 30 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Jars with lids for all participants
  • Drawing paper
  • Pencils
  • Markers that will write on the surface of a jar
  • A sharp implement to cut the jar lid (leader only)
  • Calculators
  • 2x4-inch sticky labels, scrap paper
  • 7 cents (7 pennies or 2 pennies and one nickel) for each participant
  • Copies of Handout 1, Seven Cents a Day, for all participants, plus some extra

Preparation for Activity

  • Collect small glass jars with metal, screw-top lids and plastic food storage containers with snap-on lids, for all participants, plus some extra.
  • Distribute materials and handouts at worktables.

Description of Activity

Form small groups and give each group a handout to complete, a calculator, and a pencil. Ask them to fill out the worksheet with the correct amounts in each blank. Offer help to anyone who seems to need it.

After each group has computed the amounts, ask them to report the answers. Ask them if they would like to create a bank and try to collect seven cents a day. If they answer yes, invite them to make banks. If they answer no, ask them to make a bank anyway to give to someone who will try and save seven cents a day.

Ask the children to consider how hunger in this country, let alone others, might be affected by saving seven cents a day. Spend a few minutes gathering their other ideas about helping reduce hunger.

Ask them to plan their bank labels on scrap paper before drawing or writing on a sticky label to place on the bank. Explain that you will help them put a hole in the lid. After making a hole in each lid, ask the children to screw on the lids and give them each seven cents to put in the bank.

Remind them to save seven cents each day. Tell them:

When you think you have enough saved, after 30 days or perhaps when the Windows and Mirrors program ends, return the bank here and tell us where your family decided to donate the money to an organization that fights hunger.

Follow up in subsequent Windows and Mirrors sessions. Remind children to continue saving seven cents a day. Share information about hunger relief organizations that you learn about.

Encourage the children to find an adult or older child to join the effort to save seven cents a day

Point out that if any of the children had not come to church today, they would have missed this chance to be part of reducing hunger in the world. Claim the importance of their presence at church today. Affirm that church matters!