WS Chronicle

photo above: Pastor Carlisle of Exodus United Baptist Church and volunteers distribute book bags on Aug. 17. (submitted photo)

Special to The Chronicle

Exodus United Baptist Church, 2000 Wilbur Street, hosted its fifth annual southside back-to- school give-away. The church prepared and distributed 250 book bags stuffed with school supplies for students that attend elementary and middle schools in the Southside District of the Forsyth County.

Participants had to be accompanied by a parent and bring proof of school assignment and residence in order to receive the school supplies on Monday, Aug.17, at Forest Park.

School supplies were donated from the local members of the church who also participated in a church fundraiser to host the event, along with the assistance from another local ministry, Cathedral of Refuge Church.

This year was planned to be a larger turnout than in previous years, so the event was moved to the park.

“I am grateful to be a service to our Southside community and also for the support from the members of the ministry as well as the support from other ministries who worked together to make this Back to School Event a success. We had a larger turnout than before, and looking forward to making the event better each year as we are committed to outreach and serving our community. This is only one of the annual functions that we are committed to,” says Pastor Alvin E. Carlisle Jr., senior pastor of Exodus United Baptist Church.

The event was coordinated by the Special Events Committee of Exodus United, chaired by Ronee Walker. Food was provided by the church and Billy Corne of “Take it to the Streets Ministry,” who began his outreach in 2002.

Entertainment was provided by various local groups, which included Emmanuel Baptist Church Step Team, GC3 Mime Ministry and Carver High School Marching Band.

The church gave a special thanks to all others who were apart of the event, including the Malloy Jordan East Winston-Heritage Center Library; Spanish interpreters of PepsiCo, Francisca Flores, Teresa Gonzalez, Lisa Szuts and Josseline Jauregui; and the Winston-Salem State University Mobile Ram Unit.

For more information, contact Pastor Alvin E. Carlisle Jr. at 336-650-1002.