Bishop Evan Grant (right) presents a bag with school supplies to a student at a back-to-school treat held at the Rectory Road International Faith Christian Fellowship Church in May Pen. - George Henry

One hundred and sixty students from basic, primary and high schools in May Pen, Clarendon, on Saturday benefited from a back-to-school treat hosted by 12 representatives from the International Faith Christian Fellowship Church out of Florida in the United States.

The treat which saw students receiving items of books and other school supplies was held at the church's Rectory Road branch in the Clarendon capital, where just under $300,000 was spent on ensuring that children had something to go to school.

Bishop Evan Grant who was instrumental in the organisation of the treat, said the event is an annual one which began two years ago. He said this year has been bigger as children got bags, books, pens, pencils, calculators, erasers, folders, among other supplies, to help with their progress at school.

assist parents

"When we came to this area three years ago, we saw the need and decided to assist parents and children with their back to school. So, we tried to ensure that the children got at least the basics to go back to school this month," said Grant, who added that children and their parents are free to visit his church to worship.

Bishop Grant said he and his team believe that the church should assist in the needs of children as best as possible by giving back to the needy in whatever way possible. He said his church fully supports education and he will continue to do his best to ensure that youths in his area benefit in pursuit of their education.

Bishop Grant said he plans to have an even bigger and better treat next year for children in May Pen, Clarendon where his church is already established, as well as at Scarlett Hall in Runaway Bay St Ann, where another branch will be fully established in October this year, because he believes that the spiritual and the physical should be taken care of by the church where they are located.