Bethany Baptist Church is “supplying our students for success” by collecting school supplies and handing out backpacks, Bethany Pastor Josh Wilson said.

“(Members of the church) saw a need in our community to help families who could not afford the school supplies,” he said. “They wanted to do this by bringing businesses and the community in.”

They are aptly calling the project “Supplying Our Students for Success.”

Church members started with a goal of supplying 300 backpacks, but with the help of local businesses, that number has turned into 600 backpacks.

While the backpacks are supplied, there is still a need for school supplies, and the community help is needed to achieve that goal, Wilson said.

On Friday and Saturday, church and community members will gather at Harold’s Discount Furniture to collect school supplies and monetary donations to try and “pack the bus.”

“We want this to be a physical sharing of Jesus’ love,” Wilson said. “We can say we love Jesus all day long, but we need to show people.”

Church member Myra Maddox said that general school supplies are needed such as folders, paper, rulers, crayons, glue sticks, etc.

“If people would just pick up a few extras when they are buying their own children’s supplies, it would be a great help,” she said. “I believe that if children are sent to school with the correct supplies it helps involve self-esteem. I think it affects them throughout their life.”

Those who need help with school supplies should stop by the Christian Service Center between now and July 30 to pick up a voucher to bring to the farmer’s market on July 30 at 2 p.m.

Wilson said they hope to make this an annual project and hope to expand it to include even more children in the years to come.