MIDLAND, Texas —
Elevate Church in Midland held their annual Back 2 School Bash event Sunday to give back to families in their community that still might’ve not gotten around to doing their back-to-school shopping yet.
“You know the expense of going to school is very expensive and not everyone can afford the backpacks and the school supplies, especially tennis shoes. And it's a burden on families," said Sheldon Riley, lead pastor for the church. "And so, we try to do our very best to help our community and help the families around us so that kids have the best opportunity in school. We know that kids get bullied in school for the shoes they wear and for their backpacks that they wear. So, we do our very best to make sure that they have the best school year they possibly can.”
300 free haircuts were also given out and there were various activities and food for the families to enjoy.
“Seven years ago, we started our annual Back 2 School Bash and we had 10 backpacks, and we were excited we could do 10 and so to do 1,500 this year, God's been really good to us and we're just grateful to be able to be a source to our community,” said Riley.
Besides providing all the students with the necessary supplies for school, Riley said he also hopes they also see that there is still good in their community.
“I'm bigger, sowing and reaping kind of guy, you know? And I believe we're sowing seeds and we're going to see a harvest. But they're also understanding that that giving is very contagious and generosity when you're generous, it just changes your whole lifestyle," Riley said. "And so, I believe generosity is spread through this event.”