First United Methodist Church, in Donna received an award of appreciation from Rivas Elementary for their Backpack Ministry.  This outreach began in 2012 after conversations between Pastor Ray Perales and Donna ISD administration.  Seeing the greatest need at Rivas, which serves children from the “Little Mexico” area, the church began with five backpacks, and has grown to filling up to fifteen each week, with every backpack providing food for the student and his or her family for the weekend.  Pushing beyond the church walls, the congregation also provides Christmas food baskets to these families, visiting with them and praying with them in their homes.