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
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.
Each year, the Christmas Backpacks are delivered to schools in and around Jenkins, Kentucky, in partnership with Lester and Bessie McPeek. They have also been distributed in southwest Georgia, Kentucky, West Virginia, and even on a Native American reservation in South Dakota. We have also supplied backpacks to communities in Upstate SC that are considered part of the Appalachian Region, including 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
2025
The Christmas Backpacks Ministry continues to demonstrate the strength, unity, and generosity of South Carolina Baptists and Associational WMUs. During the 2025 season, a total of 3,588 Christmas Backpacks were collected from 21 Baptist Associations across the state, reflecting a significant collaborative effort to serve children and families in Appalachia and in local communities throughout South Carolina.
Kentucky Mission Trip - From December 7–10, forty-three volunteers from seven churches joined together to share the love of Jesus in eastern Kentucky. They visited five schools, where they sang with students, played games, shared a story, and distributed Christmas Backpacks to every child. Teachers were also encouraged with special gifts. The week ended with a shared sense of gratitude as students and volunteers alike experienced the hope, generosity, and love of Christ during the Christmas season.
Backpacks were also distributed to communities in Upstate South Carolina.
As part of continued recovery and ministry efforts in Western North Carolina, a team delivered backpacks to The Blessing Project in Swannanoa, NC, and Free Will Baptist Church in Nebo, NC, supporting ongoing Gospel-centered relief and outreach efforts.
Through these combined efforts, the Christmas Backpacks Ministry served as a powerful, Gospel-centered tool—meeting tangible needs while placing God’s Word and the message of salvation directly into homes, schools, and communities.