For the 12th consecutive year Good News Gathering is opening its doors to the public to help families prepare for sending their children back to school.
From 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 5, Good News Gathering, located just south of the Hillsboro City Schools at 6250 U.S. Route 62, will be holding a Back To School Free Sale where free book bags, school supplies, new and gently used clothing, eye screenings and more will be available.
But it all starts at 7 a.m. when tickets will be given away letting those wanting to take part know what time to return to get their supplies. Ron Hennison, outreach director at the church, said that starting at 10 a.m., groups will be staggered every half hour to return to the church to retrieve supplies.
“We do that so people don’t have to stand in line or wait outside in case the weather is bad,” Hennison said.
He said the church has enough book bags and school supplies to outfit 1,000 kids, and maybe a little more.
Hennison said that at 10 a.m. the first 150 ticket holders will be seated in the auditorium, then will be lined up according to a number on their ticket. He said the church has school supply lists for all grade levels and that those receiving items will get all the basics their children need to start school.
There will be no paperwork and no questions asked, Hennison said, but the one stipulation is that families will be allowed to pick up items for just three children, if they do not have their children with them. If they have their children with them, they will be allowed to pick up supplies for each one.
The clothes will be sorted and there will be no limit on the amount parents can take. Hennison said that’s because at the event’s conclusion the church usually has so many clothes left that it takes them to New Life Ministries.
Free eye screenings will be provided by Dr. Khris Ballard, and Hennison said some type of light lunch will be served.
“In the Bible it talks about how Jesus came to serve and this is just another outreach to help others,” Hennison said. “The main focus of our church is going outside the four walls of the building and serving others.”
For more information call 937-393-5383.
Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522 or [email protected].
