Education

Henderson church gives backpacks to Carver Elementary

Risen Faith Outreach Ministry sponsored four families at Carver Elementary School for the holidays in 2022, but Pastor John Miles wanted to do more for the community.

Posted 2023-01-25T22:36:55+00:00 - Updated 2023-01-26T03:50:29+00:00

Henderson church distributes backpacks to children in need

Keenan Willard

, WRAL eastern North Carolina reporter

A Henderson church gave out backpacks this week to every student at a rural elementary school.

Pastor John Miles is the leader of Risen Faith Outreach Ministry, which sponsored four families at Carver Elementary School for the holidays in 2022.

Henderson church gives backpack to Vance County school

This month, Miles wanted to do more to support students in Vance County.

“We asked the principal, 'Could we do anything else?'” Miles said. “She said I need 138 bookbags. And I said, 'Wow!'”

The church ordered more than 140 colorful backpacks.

Henderson church gives backpacks to Vance County school.

On Tuesday, church leaders partnered with Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow to pack up a van and deliver the backpacks to the school, surprising the students with the new bags.

“We’re just so grateful to be able to do this here,” Miles said. “And, we just give God honor and praise to go down to the school today to make some kids happy.”

Miles said his new goal is to convince other churches to sponsor local schools, hoping to keep growing support for students in Vance County.