FLINT, Michigan — ​​​​​On Saturday, Sept. 9, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bethel United Methodist Church (1309 N. Ballenger Highway) held its annual Back to School Rally to help students in the community have a great start to the new school year. With a goal to give away 100+ backpacks, the event provided students with clear backpacks filled with school supplies. 

"Bethel United Methodist Church wants to resolve some problems the community may face with rising costs for everything," explained Constantia Williams of Bethel United Methodist Church. "We want all students to start the school year happy and with a backpack full of school supplies."

Local vendors and organizations were onsite at the church to provide those in attendance with food, fun activities, and resources. The common goal of the day was to ensure that students were well-prepared so they could focus more on learning. 

"Bethel United Methodist Church wants a child's focus on the first day of school to be something other than the backpack," said Williams. "Instead, let's help a child have a backpack full of supplies to kick off a great school year and learn new information."

Free backpacks and school supplies were provided to the community during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)Williams explained that the event has been held over the past five years and was led by two revered pillars of the community. "It was a collaboration between United Methodist Women and the Bethel United Methodist Church family," she said. "Two remarkable women (Jeffalone Rumph Vassal and Renetha Rumph) spearheaded the project but have since passed away. They both were school teachers and well-known in the Flint Community School District."

Williams also added how Flint residents can assist students throughout the school year. "Community members can help during the school year by listening to them. Mentorship is an important thing needed in the community. No matter your talent or abilities, there is always a child looking to learn from your talent and skills."

Flintside photo-journalist Jenifer Veloso attended the Back to School Rally and captured special moments from the event as students selected backpacks and supplies and enjoyed a day of community and giving back.

Scroll below to see highlights from this year's Back to School Rally at Bethel United Methodist Church:

Pastor Hopkins helps team members set up for the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)
Rhonda Willingham, owner of Sista Girl Greeting Cards, poses for a portrait during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)Rhonda Willingham, owner of Sista Girl Greeting Cards, poses for a portrait during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)Glenda Lang receives a free COVID-19 swab test during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)Attendants sign up for free COVID-19 testing during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)(From left to right) Pastor Hopkins, Rosya Anderson, and Charlie Phillips run the tent with free back pack and school supplies during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)Gift of Life Michigan provides free school supplies during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)Attendants were able to grab free school supplies from Gift of Life Michigan during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)Shalonda Griffin prepares the Gift of Life Michigan tent which provided school supplies during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)Shalonda Griffin runs the Gift of Life Michigan tent which provided school supplies during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)Rhonda Willingham, owner of Sista Girl greeting cards, runs a table with her personally made cards during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)Zariyah poses with a handprinted stone from Sista Girl Greeting Cards that states, “You rock!’ during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)Zariyah poses with a handprinted stone from Sista Girl Greeting Cards that states, “You rock!’ during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)
Sista Girl Greeting Cards were available during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)Genesee Health System staff members ran a tent offering information on GHS services during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)Hot dogs were provided during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)Attendants grab free backpacks and school supplies during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)Three children pose with their brand new backpacks during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)Maiayla smiles while collecting free school supplies during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)Children collect free school supplies and get hot dogs during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)Guests visit Sista Girl Greeting Card’s table during the ‘Back to School Rally’ at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)Bethel Methodist Church hosted the ‘Back to School Rally’ in Flint on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside.com)