nother 160 children will be better prepared for the school year thanks to the efforts of staff and volunteers from Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church.
Children entering local elementary, middle and high schools received not only bags of school supplies, but underwear, socks, and toothbrush and toothpaste as well. Children in the lower grades received a backpack and all the children were allowed to select a stuffed animal from the large supply of animals donated by local churches.
Denise Stitt, children’s ministry coordinator, said that the donations came from several Methodist churches in the area. Supplies were given to families who belong to Rising Hope, as well as others who have a need.
“All is donated,” Stitt said. “Next year, we’ll get the word out [for what we need] even earlier.”
Laura Derby said that when they first started this program, they distributed 25 bags. The fact that it has increased so much in seven years shows that there is a need for the service.
Both Carol Murphy and Josephine Holmes, who volunteer at Rising Hope, were able to take advantage of the program. Murphy picked up bags for her two high school children, Eric Rogers and Carron Goodwin, while Holmes’ children, Malcolm and Joshua, received supplies for middle and elementary school.