The Growth Group Leaders of Grace Crossroad Community Church spent most of Saturday morning collecting back-to-school backpacks along with school supplies for needy youngsters.

It was their way of filling the void come this time of year once held by non-profit groups such as Second Chance and Ray of Hope.

“We’re hoping to get more (backpacks and school supplies) with start of school just a few weeks away,” said Shawn Luis.

She noted that her group managed to collect 15 backpacks filled with school supplies and other loose items – pencils, notebooks, binders, etc. – for the upcoming year at the drop-off point in front of the church located at 1505 Moffat Blvd.

The back-to-school items are being accepted today at Grace Crossroad Community Church. After that, special arrangement can be made for those still interested in donating, according to Luis.

“Last year, we worked together with Give Every Child A Chance and we managed to collect 75 (backpacks),” she said.

Her group is working in conjunction with Love in the Name of Christ (Love INC) and MUSD.

Donors can off backpacks filled with the following:

• Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten – A pencil box, pencil sharpener, a 12-pack of No.2 pencils, two pocket folders, one pack of loose leaf paper, a glue stick, one 24-pack box of crayons, a watercolor paint set, a 10-pack of children’s markers, one 24-pack of colored pencils, safety scissors, pack of tissues and antibacterial hand sanitizer.

• First- through fourth- graders – A three-ring binder, pencil box, 12-pack of No.2 pencils, pencil sharpener, 12-pack of pens (blue or red ink), highlighters, composition notebook, four-pack dry-erase markers, single subject spiral notebook, pack of 3-by-5-inch index cards, a 12-inch ruler, safety scissors, two large pink erasers, two pocket folders, one pack loose leaf paper (wide rule), two glue sticks, 24-pack box of crayons, 10-pack washable markers, 24-pack box of colored pencils, pack of tissues, and an antibacterial hand sanitizer.

• Fifth- and sixth- graders – A three-ring binder, pack of tabbed dividers, 12-pack of No. 2 pencils, pencil sharpener, 12-pack of pens (blue or black ink), two highlighters, composition notebook, a five-subject spiral notebook (college rule), pack 3-by-5-inch index cards, 12-inch ruler, scissors, two large pink erasers, five pocket folders, one pace of loose leaf paper (college ruler), two glue sticks, and one 24-pack of colored pencils.

• Seventh- through 12th- graders – A three-ring binder, pack of tabbed dividers, 12-pack of No. 2 pencils, pencil sharpener, 12-pack of pens (blue or black ink), two highlighters, four one-subject spiral notebooks (college rule), pack of 3-by-5-inch index cards, five pocket folders, pack of loose leaf paper (college rule), 24-pack of colored pencils, protractor, compass, scientific calculator, graph paper, pack of Post-it notes, and one computer flash drive.

For more information, call Love INC at (209) 825-9131 or e-mail shawnmike1@verizon.net.