LOVELOCK - A community of support is what pastor of New Life Fellowship, Chris Wenzel, is calling Lovelock.
With the help of local businesses and individuals, the church was able to give out 135 backpacks with school supplies in them.
"This is what happens when the community comes together to help each other," Wenzel said.
Wenzel was at a loss when asked how many volunteers it took to provide everything at the backpack giveaway.
"I really don't know. There are at least three churches represented here, maybe more, and some people who don't go to church, who just came down to help," Wenzel said.
Volunteers took a group photo before the giveaway began and still more volunteers came after the photo was taken. Churches represented at the giveaway included New Life Fellowship, Big Meadow Bible Church and Imlay Baptist Church.
"This is not just a church event, it's a community event. So many people have come together to make this happen," Stephanie Wenzel said.
Contributors to the event either financially or by donation included Ruffles-n-Rednecks Salon, Lovelock Correctional Center, Coeur Rochester, Aaron Ging, Margret Teixeira, Rural Compassion, LDS Relief Society, Mary Fitzpatrick with Stockpile Reserve and Second Chance Thrift Store.
Stephanie Wenzel said they gave away 135 backpacks filled with some school supplies left over.
"There were eight kids that did not need backpacks but got school supplies. There are very little supplies left," Stephanie Wenzel said.
She added that those school supplies will be given out as needed.
In addition to the backpack giveaway, Second Chance Thrift Store filled seven tables with boxes of clothes ranging in size from toddlers to large girls and boys.
"Everything is so neat and organized," a mother of three said as she was looking at clothing for her children.
The owner of Second Chance, Claudia Craspy, said that she and other volunteers had spent the previous day organizing the clothing into boxes marked girls or boys with sizes on the box. Volunteers were available to help students find their sizes and make suggestions on clothing. They also refolded and arranged clothing as needed.
Everyone was treated to a free hot dog lunch, while Walter Kaptain played contemporary and rock Christian music in the park.
But the thing that attracted the most attention was the bounce house provided by the church for the occasion.
"Wow, it was so cool. That was the best time I've had volunteering," said Steven Mitchell, a volunteer from the Imlay Baptist Church.
Pastor Wenzel echoed the same sentiment.
"This has been a very fun day. The great thing is that we got to show the love of Jesus to the community," Wenzel said.
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