Christmas Backpacks are a
tangible expression of Christ's love
for each child and teen as they are distributed at outreach events in various communities.
CHRISTMAS BACKPACKS FOR
2024
The Christmas Backpacks Ministry seeks to meet the physical and spiritual needs of those living in the Appalachian Area and in upstate South Carolina. One of the greatest ministry needs occurs at Christmas. We are calling on our South Carolina churches to respond to this need. The backpacks received will be distributed to needy children and teenagers during events at which the Gospel will be shared.
This year Christmas Backpacks will be delivered to five schools in and around Jenkins, Kentucky, in partnership with Lester and Bessie McPeek. They will also be distributed in southwest Georgia, Kentucky, West Virginia, and even on a Native American reservation in South Dakota. We will also supply backpacks to communities in Upstate SC that are considered part of the Appalachian Region. These will include Union, Pacolet, Enoree, Downtown Spartanburg, and Taylors.
Engage Your Church
Share with your church what Christmas backpacks accomplish and how they can impact children and teens in the Appalachian area. Create a plan to accomplish goals you set for your group.
Shop & Gather Items
Look through the various gift suggestions and guidelines to decide which items to include. Prior to shopping, be sure to select the gender and age.
Drop Off & Pack
Once all backpacks have been filled and collected, they will need to be delivered to locations across South Carolina. Use the list below to find your nearest location.
BACKPACK REPORT FOR
2023
3,385 backpacks collected from 25 SC Baptist Associations
Backpacks distributed and Gospel presented in 8 schools to nearly 2,000 students in Kentucky
Over 50 people went on 2 trips to eastern Kentucky
Backpacks distributed to communities in Upstate South Carolina
Backpacks were distributed to Dawson, GA, different parts of Kentucky, and in SC to Pacolet, Taylors, Downtown Spartanburg, Union, and Enoree. Around 2,000 backpacks were taken to the Jenkins and Blaine areas of Kentucky. Missionaries Lester and Bessie McPeek, God’s Love in a Diaper Bag, once again served as our host ministry.
We gave presentations that included games, a Gospel presentation, and backpack distribution in 5 schools in the Jenkins, Dorton, and Blain areas. Additionally, the Screven Association took backpacks to 3 additional schools in the region, meaning backpacks and the Gospel reached nearly 2,000 students in the surrounding areas/region of Jenkins, KY. The rest of the backpacks will be distributed to communities in Upstate SC that are considered part of the Appalachian Region — including Union, Pacolet, Enoree, Downtown Spartanburg, and Taylors.
For the fifth year, Thomas Ragan of Ragan Orchards in Inman donated the use of a box truck and fuel for the trip. In addition to the backpacks, several churches and associations donated quilts, knitted items, clothes, extra hygiene kits, Bibles, books, puzzles, school supplies, stuffed animals, and extra items for backpacks.
Several women from churches in the Network and Spartan Association volunteered many hours of their time to process the backpacks.