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.”