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 The book bags were going, quickly.

“You heard, 'We didn’t know how we were going to get our children school supplies,’ a lot,” said Micka Stephens , director of missions and outreach for Bethany Fellowship about the large crowds last Saturday.

Under pitched tents at the High Point Road church were 1,000 backpacks of just about every color and cartoon character — stacked high. Stuffed inside was everything from colored markers to wide rule notebook paper. Other tents held boxes of newly donated clothes from Wrangler that parents could sift through for outfits for their children for school.

That people were knocking on the door of the church hours after the event was over was a reminder for the congregation of the desperation some parents face over getting these basic school necessities.

Members also took 30 backpacks to Pathways shelter residents, and door-to-door to needy families.

“One woman said, 'We don’t even have crayons,’ ”Stephens said. “We see the job cuts and the gas prices staying high and know things are tough.”

For Bethany’s give-away, each member bought and filled at least one book bag with school supplies. Neighbors and friends of the congregation, including Westover Church and Wrangler, also pitched in.

“While we were able to impact 900 families, there are 900 more who still need that help,” said Stephens, whose church plans to make it an annual event. They’re already working on four laptop computers for next year, she said.
Missed out? Other local churches and nonprofit organizations have scheduled a bevy of upcoming events for those in need over the next week or so, with others groups collecting items to give away.

(Look for updates for additional events online at The Front Pew or with this column.)

If you need supplies:

Back to School Extravaganza, The Black Child Development Institute, 8:30 a.m.- noon Saturday, Bethel AME Church, 200 Regan St., Greensboro. Half-day workshop for students and parents, ending with school supplies distributed to each child there. 230-2138 .

Back-to-school block party, 10 a.m. -1 p.m., Saturday, Proximity United Methodist Church, 1200 Vine St., Greensboro. School supplies. beckyr1@triad.rr.com or 292-7036.

Free School Supply Giveaway, 9 -11 a.m., Saturday, First United Methodist Church, 130 Main St. (Draper Section), Eden. Students and parents of Draper Elementary are invited to come by and pick up their supplies. 616-7754.

Back to School Bash, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26, Cornerstone Baptist Church, 5736 Inman Road. 665-1944.

If you want to contribute:

*Sedgefield Presbyterian Church, 4216 Wayne Road, is helping the neighborhood school, Sedgefield Elementary, collect essential clothing for children, from new underwear to gently used clothing. 299-4061.

*First Lutheran Church is collecting school supplies for teachers in the congregation to take what they need for students. Remaining items will be taken to Hunter School. 292-9125.

*Sojourn Community Church is collecting school supplies for children of The Seeds Project (www.servinggreensboro.com) and Kernodle Middle School, 3600 Drawbridge Parkway, the location of the congregation’s Sunday services. Donations can be dropped off on Sundays from 8am-noon at Kernodle Middle School. 282-9394.

*West Market Street UMC is collecting school items for Washington Montessori School through Aug. 30. The church address is 302 West Market St. Items need to be dropped off at the reception area on Commerce (about half-way down the block between West Market Street and Friendly Avenue). 275-4587.

*First Presbyterian, 617 N Elm St., is collecting school supplies and backpacks for students at the Newcomers School. Supplies can be dropped off at the church office or entrances to the traditional sanctuary or the Rejoice! service in Mullin Life Center on the Greene Street side of the church. 373-0445

Contact Nancy McLaughlin at 373-7049 or nancy.mclaughlin
@news-record.com