Backpack Buddies
Backpack Buddies is a community-wide ministry begun in 2005 and sponsored by Churches Touching Lives for Christ (CTLC) and the Temple Independent School District. Christ Episcopal Church began participating in 2007.
Backpack Buddies allows churches in our area to “buddy up” with TISD students to give them a helpful boost to their new school year. Having a new backpack and a complete set of school supplies gives them a positive start to their learning experience.
Backpack sponsors are also asked to ‘buddy up’ with students through prayers for the school year. This daily prayer is the most lasting gift to be offered and will have the greatest long-term impact. It might be that their ‘buddy’ is the only person praying for this special child of God.The needs are growing.
For several years, Christ Church was sponsoring 50 students. In 2017, the congregation made another leap of faith and sponsored 100 students in five grade levels, from kindergarten to middle school. This year Christ Church is planning to “buddy up” to sponsor 110 students in third and fourth grades.
School students also get “heavenly assistance” at the beginning of the year. The backpacks will be blessed during the Sunday morning service on August 9, before they are delivered and distributed.
Parishioners have two ways to be “Back Pack Buddies.” Sign up to sponsor a student and shop for the backpack and supplies on the TISD-approved list or donate the funds and the church’s volunteer shoppers will shop for you. A $40 donation will cover the costs of a backpack filled with school supplies. The school supply shopping list can be found here.
Prayerfully consider supporting this community outreach ministry this year.
Sign up online here https://forms.gle/WUwWVHQBzd6Weokq8
Contact Kerry Hancock for more information:
254-913-6094 or kerry.hancock1@icloud.com.
The deadline to sign up is Sunday, July 26.