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Give the gift of the Gospel this Christmas!

Christmas Backpack season is here! These gifts are given to children in need, but more than just a backpack is offered. The backpacks help create community outreach events to proclaim the Good News of Christ at Christmas. In supporting this work, you can be sure that your generosity prepares the soil for sharing Jesus while blessing families.

SMRBC will be collecting backpacks in the foyer on Sundays, or backpacks can be brought to the church office during office hours on weekdays. Please bring your backpack in by Sunday, October 29, 2023.

How to Pack a Backpack

1. Get Ready

  • All items need to be new
  • Backpacks should be full-sized with zippers
  • Shop with an age and gender in mind:
    • Elementary School Boy
    • Middle School Boy
    • Elementary School Girl
    • Middle School Girl

2. Fill the Backpack

To ensure that children receive backpacks similar in content and cost, please adhere to these guidelines. All contents need to fit inside of the zipped backpack.

  • 1 school supply pouch filled with sharpened #2 pencils, a small sharpener, a pack of colored pencils, ink pens, and a pack of crayons
  • 1 personal journal or coloring book (whichever is age appropriate)
  • 1 refillable water bottle (unfilled)
  • 1 gallon Ziplock bag with personal items (ex., toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, travel-sized soap, shampoo)
  • 1 gallon Ziplock bag with single serve food items (ex., cheese crackers, squeeze applesauce, granola bars, animal crackers)
  • 1 quart size Ziplock bag with candy treats (ex., Skittles, Smarties, lollipops (anything non-chocolate)
  • 1 set of winter gloves and hat
  • 1 pack of socks
  • 1 small sized non-electronic toy or stuffed animal (No toy guns or knives)
  • 1 age-appropriate Bible or spiritual book (recommended books for 8–14-year-olds)

3. Identify the Backpack Age

Tie a piece of yarn to the backpack to identify the age and gender:

  • Red – Elementary School Boy
  • Black/Gray – Middle School Boy
  • Green – Elementary School Girl
  • Blue – Middle School Girl

4. Pray over the backpack

Pray for God to deliver the backpack into the hands of the child who needs this specific backpack. Ask the Lord to use this backpack to draw the child and his/her family to Himself (Matthew 9).

5. Bring it In

SMRBC will be collecting backpacks in the foyer on Sundays, or backpacks can be brought to the church office during office hours on weekdays. Please bring your backpack in by Sunday, October 29th, 2023. Pray for God to minister to the child and family receiving this gift.

Testimonies from Receiving Ministries

“Two families came to faith in Jesus as a result of the generosity and gospel opportunity of our backpack outreach.” – Ayman L. – SBCV International Leader, Northern Virginia

“Every school aged child in our town was able to receive a backpack and hear that Jesus loves them. Thank you.” – Billy G. -SBCV Church Planter, Saltville

“Not only did we get to help underprivileged kids (I’m sure that the backpack is all some will get for Christmas) but more importantly we got to share Jesus with others who may not have ever heard about his love.” – Gary O. – SBCV Pastor, Haysi