Valley church to host back-to-school backpack giveaway this Saturday

Filling up brand new backpacks one school supply at a time, Sword of the Lord Ministries in Thousand Palms is gearing up to host a free backpack and school supply giveaway to help Valley families in need. The event starts at 11a.m. Aug. 31 at the church at 72055 Corporate Way, Thousand Palms, and is first come first served.

It’s a chance for kids (K-12) and their parents to enjoy a free BBQ and stuff their backpacks with the goodies they’ll need for class, the simple things some families can’t afford.

“We found kids within our own organization who were in need of school supplies,” said Ronda Henry, of Sword of the Lord Ministries.

With bake sales and tamale drives, the church purchased and received donations of 275 backpacks, but it needs your help to fill them.

“Just today, filling these up, our supplies dwindled. We need all of the help we can get with this. It’s going to be big,” said Sheila Ortega, of Sword of the Lord Ministries.

If you would like to donate school supplies including new pencils, pens, notebooks, scissors, etc. or make a monetary donation toward buying them, visit the church or call 760-343-3050.

The church is hitting the streets, going door to door to get the word out to underprivileged families to make sure no parent or student is left out on their first day back.

“I’ve been there. You can be a good parent and still need help. We can help you, that’s what we want to do,” said Dorothy Ortega, of Sword of the Lord Ministries.

Saturday, Aug. 31
11 a.m. @ Sword of the Lord Ministries (72055 Corporate Way, Thousand Palms, Calif., 92276)
Phone: 760-343-3050