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Four-hundred-and-eighty-five students from 214 families received supplies, food and uniforms during the Back-to-School Boost July 23 at Escambia County Middle School.

Coordinator Ruth Robison said the boost was a combined effort from Grace Fellowship Atmore, with the help of Empowerment Tabernacle, United Fund of Atmore, the Atmore Community Foundation, Atmore Community Hospital, Feeding the Gulf Coast and the support of the community.

Students and families received backpacks, school supplies, two uniforms per child and a bundle of shelf stable food.

Additionally, the event highlighted some community resources as well, including Upwards Sports Ministry, Awana Ministry, the Atmore Area Christian Care Ministry, Women’s Resource Center, HIPPY preschool readiness program and RPM Ministries, Robinson said.

“We had 63 volunteers working together (July 23) to make the day happen, and many volunteers working throughout the week to prepare for the event from packing backpacks and food to unboxing and sorting uniforms,” Robinson said. “We are very thankful to the Escambia County School System for allowing us to use Escambia County Middle School as a host site for the event as well as the help of Principal Forrest Jones in accommodating this effort for the community.”

Robinson said the boost is a good way to reinforce to the Atmore community that we care about our students and families, and value education.

“We are thankful for the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and share His love in a real and tangible way by meeting practical needs of those in our community,” she said.