JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A local church on Phoenix Avenue hosted a Back-to-School Jump-Off event Sunday morning, providing school supplies to children in need as summer break wraps up.
Backpacks filled with notebooks, crayons and pencils were handed out to families who need them.
At Christ the Living Cornerstone Ministry, 16-year-old Elijah Arnold, a church member and youth minister, not only prepared for his own return to school, but also helped others get ready.
“What we’re doing right here is upbuilding the harvest,” Arnold said. “Honestly, I feel amazing, you know, just to be a part of it. To be someone who’s speaking for the youth, you know, because I can relate to them.”
Xakyyah Johnson, 18, a recent high school graduate and longtime church member, also wanted to ensure younger kids have what they need to start the school year.
“I really enjoy it because it is people out there who are not as fortunate as us,” Johnson said. “And being that one of my passions is to help people and to teach people, I want to go to school to be a teacher.”
If you still need school supplies, you can call Christ the Living Cornerstone at 904-514-8115. When you call, just say how many kids you have and what supplies you need to arrange a pickup day.
Back-to-school events also continue next weekend.
On Saturday, Aug. 16, Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Green Cove Springs will host a Back-to-School Splash Bash from noon to 3 p.m.
Later that day, a Kids Sip and Paint event will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. at 9921 New Kings Road, Unit 107, in Jacksonville.
