This past year, it distributed supplies to 2,000 students across three counties — Okaloosa, Walton and Bay.
Stacy Reed, regional outreach director, said Backpack 2 School is an initiative in which the church helps children in need get started with school supplies, such as a backpack, new shoes and other items. The drive serves schools in Walton County, Panama City Beach schools and select areas in Okaloosa County.
“It's wonderful to see families that have come back now year after year, and now into the next generation,” Reed said. “It's great to be a part of their lives, and they look forward to seeing us as much as we look forward to seeing them. And, of course, we have a number of new families every year because somebody may need assistance where they didn't need it last summer, depending on their life circumstances.”