Christmas Outreach

Ways You and Your Church Can Help

1. Collect Items and Prepare Backpacks

We encourage churches to begin collecting items early – and throughout the year, as certain items such as warm clothing, go on sale at different times throughout the year. Each 17 inch zippered school backpack should include: (Downloadable Checklist)

• Items of NEW warm clothing. Please provide a winter hat, a pair of gloves, and 2-3 pair of winter socks in each pack.
• 3-4 pop-top canned food items such as ravioli, tuna, beef stew, vegetables, fruit (Cans are preferred – or tightly sealed pouches)
• At least 1 or 2 NEW, age appropriate non-breakable toy(s) (no toy weapons, please!) This can include small cars, balls, dolls, small stuffed animals, puzzles, jump rope, sidewalk chalk, card games, Legos, etc. For oldest age group (15-17) substitute an appropriate item instead of a toy, such as, a flashlight, wallet, small thermos, light blanket, earbuds, small tool kits, fishing gear, books, hunting and fishing magazines for the boys – jewelry, books, earbuds, skin care products, hair accessories, small travel-sized hair dryer, etc. for girls. PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE A KNIFE OF ANY KIND, AS MANY OF THESE BACKPACKS ARE DISTRIBUTED IN SCHOOLS.
• Hygiene items including full sized containers of toothpaste, body wash, shampoo, and deodorant, as well as toothbrush, soap, washcloth, brush or comb. Please fit these items into a one gallon Ziplock bag so they do not leak out into the rest of the backpack.
• Fresh, wrapped candy – no chocolate please, as it may melt; and no peanut products because of  potential allergies.
• A children’s Bible or youth Bible (no one version is required) Please make sure that every pack has a Bible in it! This is the most important part!
• A copy of “The Christmas Story”. You can download and print a .pdf copy of it here from our website. See link below.

Nothing Outside of the Backpack Please

Please make sure all items fit into the backpack. Nothing should be attached to the outside of the pack except the ribbons identifying age and boy/girl. Items outside of the backpack do not store and travel well. Many are either torn off or become quite dirty in transport. Also, please do not tape the outside of the backpacks as it leaves a sticky residue.

Age Grouping and Labeling

Each backpack should be labeled boy or girl as well as the appropriate age by attaching the corresponding color ribbon to the packs. Age groupings for this year are 4-7, 8-10, 11-14, 15-17. Due to labels falling off in previous years, we have now gone to a ribbon system for labeling, and it has proven to be very effective. Each backpack will have two 10 inch ribbons tied to them – one to indicate gender and one for age, as follows:

Gender
Blue ribbon will indicate a boy’s backpack
Pink ribbon will indicate a girl’s backpack

Age
Yellow ribbon for ages 4-7
Green ribbon for ages 8-10
Red ribbon for ages 11-14
White ribbon for ages 15-17

We ask that you prepare your backpack as you would for your own child or grandchild, with new items, not used ones. This quality gift could be the only Christmas present this child receives, and will be a witness of Christ’s love!

School Backpacks
Dollar Days, Backpacks USA, Wholesale Stock Room, Bags in Bulk, A&W Sourceall– Search ‘Discount Backpacks”

Bibles
All Bibles.com, Church Source, Ollies, Family Christian, Bibles at Cost, Bibles in Bulk,

Toys/Games
Dollar Days, Empire Discount, Mattel Charity Sales

Other
Eros Wholesale, Blowout Medical (for combs, brushes)

2. Be a Collection Site For Your Area

We need churches and/or associational offices who can have volunteers ready to meet and assist those who might bring backpacks by on Saturday, November 7 between the hours of 9 am and noon, and who can provide either an enclosed trailer, box truck, or building space for the backpacks to be stored. The collection site will then be responsible for transporting backpacks collected to either Shelby Mission Camp or Red Springs Mission Camp (near Lumberton) on Friday, November 13 for processing, which will take place the next day, Saturday, November 14. (If your church is interested in being a collection site, please contact Mark Abernathy. Understand that there may already be a collection site established for your area.)

3. Partner To Do An Outreach Event

Some ministry sites in the Appalachian region have requested NC churches to come conduct a Christmas outreach event in conjunction with the distribution of the backpacks. These events may include preparation of food, additional needs distribution, games for the children, a gospel presentation, etc. . Your church would deliver and distribute filled backpacks to the ministry site at the event and participate in ministry activities, which will be planned according to the desires and direction of the ministry center/church. Churches wishing to participate in an outreach event or delivery must register their team through Baptists on Mission’s Appalachian Coalfields Partnership. Instructions will be sent to the team leader. (Partnering opportunities are limited to around 35 per year. Several of these will be filled by “return partners” from the previous year. If you wish to partners, make sure you fill out the ACO Church Participation Form and send back to us. Once all partnering opportunities are filled, we will have a waiting list. We will do all we can to try and find a partner for your church. Thanks for your understanding!)

4. Deliver Backpacks to a Ministry Site

Often, ministry areas do not plan to partner with a church to do an event, but still need backpacks delivered. Each year we have great need for those willing to help in getting the backpacks to needed areas by providing a box truck/covered trailer and drivers to deliver and help unload the packs.

2026 Church Participation Form