Calvary Community Church’s Fifth Annual Back to School Block Party, in which organizers have invested more than $5,000, reigns as far more than entertainment with a bounce house, games and other activities. The free gathering from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 27 on the church property across the street from its building at 1031 Chestnut St. in downtown Columbus also serves as a serious outreach and a message to struggling families: We’ve got your back.
Calvary Pastor Frank Griffin lauded the assistance of partners such as the nearby nonprofit Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center for helping the church provide more than 250 new, free backpacks and school supplies for students who need them, no questions asked.
Free food also is served and the Bartholomew County Public Library Bookmobile will be on hand.
“This represents a significant investment, simply because we understand the need here in the community,” Griffin said.
Last year, a grant also boosted the budget, according to planners.
About 200 people attended last year’s event, according to the church’s Deborah Booker, coordinating the gathering with Freida Yates.
“Ideally, we’d like to see about 50 or more people than that this year,” Booker said, adding that organizers always want to reach more families, especially in the local Latino community.
“We certainly love our kids here (in the community),” Booker added. “And we want to give them every possible opportunity to succeed. We understand that it costs a lot of money these days to send a kid to school. We try the very best we can to be a help to our community.”
That help at the event will include haircuts to the first 50 students, courtesy of Columbus Uppercuts barber shop in downtown Columbus. Owner Peter Soler and his staff have been doing such since the first block party. Soler and his staff will be on hand at Calvary.
Their time and effort translates to about a $1,300 donation in the event.
“It’s always nice to give back to the community,” Soler said. “And you reap what you sow, so we’re just trying to sow some good seeds.”
Griffin mentioned that it’s important for Christians to demonstrate practical concern for the financially hurting.
“We’re trying to eliminate struggling families’ (before school) concerns,” Griffin said. “We understand that, for many families right now, the expense for haircuts for their kids is a major deal. And we know that the expense of school supplies and backpacks also can be a major deal.
“We just want kids here in the community starting out the school year in the classroom feeling as positive as they possibly can.
“We just want to be a support as much as we possibly can.”
About the event
What: Fifth Annual Calvary Community Church Back to School Block Party.
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 27.
Where: Property of Calvary Community Church, 1031 Chestnut St., across the street from the church building.
Information: Facebook page for Calvary Community Church.
