Recently, the Children Healthy Eating on Weekends (CHEW) Backpack Program of Richlands received the 2017 Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award. The Rev. Edgar De Jesus, pastor of Richlands UMC, accepted the award on behalf of the volunteers.
The CHEW Backpack Program main hub is the Mission Center (old parsonage) of Richlands UMC. The collection, storage, packing and volunteer works are happen every week at the Richlands UMC Mission Center.
Richlands UMC is part of 8-10 churches which are involved with leadership, community-awareness, volunteer work and fundraising.
Every year, Richlands UMC hosts a CHEW Backpack Breakfast Fellowship to raise community-awareness, celebrate the success and re-cast its vision and mission in fighting child food hunger in the Richlands community.