Community Church donates backpacks with supplies to Mount Vernon children in temp housing

August 27, 2021

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Community Church of the Pelhams.

Rev. Dr. Lillian Reynolds (r.) was assisted by Tylyn Belton in picking up 48 backpacks.

Reverend Noel Vanek, the Pastor of the Community Church of the Pelhams announced today that the Church has continued its mission of providing backpacks supplied with necessary school supplies, to the Mt. Vernon School District for distribution to children in kindergarten, first grade and second grade.

Rev. Vanek stated that the Church is continually looking to develop programs as part of its mission work to help others in the community. Six years ago it was brought to the attention of the Church by Rev. Dr. Lillian Reynolds, that the Mt. Vernon School District serves a number of children who are temporarily housed. Such children very often need help in procuring school supplies as each new school year starts. Dr. Reynolds is the liaison between the Mt. Vernon School District for temporary housed students.

Dr. Reynolds is affiliated with the Grace Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon, New York and is head of the Christian Education Program at the Community Church of the Pelhams. Pastor Reynolds has also been a guest preacher at the Community Church.

Six years ago the Church began an annual program to procure backpacks and supply them with school supplies. The list of school supplies is obtained from the school district, setting forth the items which should be placed in the backpacks. Members of the Church Congregation volunteer time and resources to procure the backpacks and the specified supplies. The backpacks are delivered to the Church where volunteers pack the backpacks with the supplies.

On August 24, 2021, Dr. Reynolds picked up (48) backpacks, (16) each for kindergarten, first grade and second grade.

Rev. Vanek stated that the members of the Congregation of the Community Church believe that all children are entitled to equality in education and the opportunity to develop to the best of their abilities. Dr. Reynolds indicated that an investment in a child’s education will reap significant returns by maximizing educational opportunity.

The Community Church intends to continue its annual backpack program into the future and hopefully will expand as more persons volunteer their time and resources.