Ash Grove First Baptist Church hosts back to school event

Ash Grove First Baptist Church will be hosting a Back to School Impact event for free from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. this coming Friday, Aug. 11. The gathering will provide school supplies and some necessary services to students and parents in the community who are in need.

The day will be hosted at Ash Grove First Baptist Church on E. Walker Street, and will provide necessary services to members of the community, which includes a free lunch, haircuts, an eye glass clinic, car wash and access to a food pantry on top of the distribution of school supplies. Children's Pastor Harley Motsenbocker said that the free offering will also include a bounce house, as well as an inflatable slide for the children to enjoy.

The event is part of an outreach program stemming from Lenexa Baptist Church in Kansas. According to Motsenbocker, Lenexa Baptist Church will reach out to small churches, like First Baptist, to help them set up such projects through their outreach ministry. Lenexa Baptist Church has already helped multiple schools around the nation, with Ash Grove being the latest. Other communities that have benefited from this program include Kansas City, Denver and Nashville.

Back to School Impact hopes to engage the community with fun, while also providing necessary services according to Motsenbocker, who says that it can be a big help to those who may be struggling financially.

"There is a big need, this economy is tough, helping our community is really important right now," Motsenbocker said.

Ash Grove First Baptist Church shared in a Facebook post that all are invited to participate and stated that they want to make the back to school season less difficult for parents.

"We want to help make this process easier for you and your family."

A link to register is provided on Ash Grove First Baptist's Facebook page.