Back to school – school supply give-away Free School Supplies and Backpacks for Community Kids
Liberty Baptist Church in Blanchard, PA is hosting a Back to School Event on Sunday, July 24, 2022. Community students, pre-school through 12th grade, are invited to attend to receive free backpacks and school supplies to equip them for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. The Back to School – School Supply Give-Away is sponsored by the Board of Christian Education, The American Baptist Women Circle, and the church Social Committee. The event is first-come, first-serve, while school supplies and backpacks last. There will be enough backpacks to reach 100 students this year.
“We believe our program is just a little bit different from others in our area. Instead of lining the children up and handing them a pre-packed backpack with supplies, we set up our church gym as a store. The students can come in and select their own supplies. In essence, they have an opportunity to ‘shop’ for their supplies just like other kids at their schools. Last year one of the students remarked that they were at ‘ChurchMart,” stated Greta Davis, chair of the Social Committee.
This program began in 2016 with the Church serving over one hundred children in the community. Previous years have included free haircuts for children from local barbers and cosmetologists. This year the Church hopes to serve 100 children. The program will be expanded to add Bargains & Blessings Community Closet, an outreach of Faith Chapel United Methodist Church offering a mobile thrift store on-site. Most items are under $4 and the thrift store will accept cash only.
This year refreshments will also be provided to the children and their families by Liberty Baptist Church. For more information please visit the church Facebook page or website at www.lbcblanchard.com
“There are two fundamental ways to change the life of a child,” stated Liberty Baptist Church Pastor, Chris Davis, “Introduce them to the good news of Jesus Christ, and give them an education. It’s really hard for a kid to be excited about going back to school when they don’t have the tools they need and their family cannot afford to provide them.”
The doors will open at 6:00 pm and begin with a short program. The children and their families will be released by number corresponding with their arrival to the event so that they can begin to select their own school supplies, backpack, and any clothing they need.
“Our church family has pulled together in a phenomenal way to make sure that area children can start school on equal footing this school year with the supplies that they need. We are excited to share Christ’s love with them and their families through this event.” Stated Dretta Andrews, Chairperson of the Board of Christian Education.
Liberty Baptist Church ~ A Place to Belong
