Back to School Fair was a Day Full of Fun!

By Rev. Meredith Jackson, Program Director

Students, parents, friends and community members gathered at Isaiah 58 Ministries on Saturday for our annual Back to School Fair and Backpack Distribution. Like many of our events, we invited churches, community groups, and individuals to sponsor games and food, bringing people together for a day of fun.

Games were provided by Hope United Church of Christ, Webster Groves Presbyterian Church, Compton Heights Christian Church, and other ministry volunteers. Resource tables, with information and materials for our families were provided by the ministry’s Advocacy Team, Bonhomme Presbyterian Church, Youth in Need, St Louis Public Library and Delta Gamma Center for Children. Devon McGill provided haircuts. Lunch and snack was a great success thanks to St Margaret of Scotland Parish and St Mark Presbyterian Church.

After lunch we gathered for a blessing of the backpacks and students were invited to choose their backpack, socks, and underwear. Over 120 backpacks were distributed.

We are happy to be able to supply our local students and set them up for success this school year. We will continue to pray for them, their families, and their educators as they continue to expand their minds and discern their role in the world.

Here’s an excerpt from our blessing for the backpacks:

Lord, bless these backpacks and the children and youth who carry them as they begin yet another year of school. May these physical gifts be symbols of the love and support we give to the children in our community throughout the year. Help us to look upon every child and every youth in our community as one of our own, helping them grow in character and knowledge.
-Rev. Brenda Booth, 2022

Many thanks to the following churches, businesses, and community groups who gathered supplies for our 2022 backpacks. If you are interested in partnering with us for future backpack distributions, please contact Rev. Brenda Booth.

To financially support the efforts of the ministry, please donate here. Your gift helps this event, and others like it, thrive.

2022 Partners: