Mesa Baptist plans back-to-school weekend

The first day of school is approaching and the anticipation is rising, which is why Mesa Baptist Church (1411 Golf Course Road SE) is hosting its inaugural Back-to-School Weekend Saturday and Sunday.

The weekend kicks off with a school supply drive from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday in the Mesa Baptist parking lot. The church will give away backpacks and school supplies to help local students prepare for the start of the new school year, Aug. 6.

Mesa Baptist pastor Kenny Fryman says this Back-to-School Weekend is a way to give back to the community during difficult times.

“The rising cost of things, families struggling, we just saw this as a way for the church to help the community,” says Fryman.

According to city-data.com, a data collection site that helps track poverty rates and other demographics in American cities, Rio Rancho has a childhood poverty rate of 7.8%, well below the national average of 16% and significantly lower than the statewide average of 23.3%. In fact, Rio Rancho has the lowest childhood poverty rate in New Mexico, according to 24/7wallstreet.com. However, there are 364,725 children under 18 living in Rio Rancho (censusreporter.org). That means 28,448 children live below the poverty line. Fryman says Mesa Baptist Church is hoping to address some of the needs of these children with the supply drive.

After the new backpacks and supplies are handed out and the kids are ready for school, it’s time for the real fun. On Sunday, Mesa Baptist will host a follow-up event: a cookout in the church parking lot. Planned as a back-to-school celebration, the cookout will include hotdogs and hamburgers, a bouncy house for the kids, a raffle and more.

“It’s just a great chance to hang out with the community,” says Fryman.

For more information, follow Mesa Baptist on social media or visit its website.