By Pastor James Willis
St Paul Missionary Baptist Church hosted their annual summer backpack giveaway on Saturday, August 22. The event also included a health fair, lunch for attendees and games and bounce house for the kids.
Pastor James Willis, Sr., made these remarks about this year’s event.
“Today is our backpack giveaway and community health fair. Our annual school backpack giveaway is not only a giveaway for the children, it’s a community effort to get people engaged.
“As we look at the Scriptures from Proverbs 22: 6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
“This event reflects our belief in that investing in our youth today shapes their strength and their character for the future. This gathering is more than a distribution of school supplies, it is an intentional effort to equip our children with confidence and encourage the tools they need for a successful school year.
“Every backpack represents hope, preparation and a reminder that our young people are surrounded by a village that believes in their potential through acts of service and generosity. Every child deserves to begin their year with dignity and support.
“Alongside the backpack giveaway is our community health fair which provides essential resources to the families and individuals seeking better health and better lives. For through wellness and educational nurturing we aim to empower community members with the knowledge and access that physical strength, emotional and spiritual wellbeing is important. Health is a foundation to growth and by offering these services we demonstrate our commitment to care for the whole person.
“And as pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, I take pride in seeing to it that our portion is done according to God’s will, so today is our annual gathering for the backpack giveaway and community service.”
