Backpack Drive 2026

Help us send children back to school prepared, confident, and ready to learn!

This August, the Baptist Church in the Great Valley will once again provide backpacks filled with school supplies for the children and youth served by Rev. Rick Bunker through the American Baptist Mission at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.

Rev. Bunker ministers to the families of race track workers, many of whom travel to Pennsylvania and live near the track while working in the barns and caring for the horses. Throughout the year, he provides pastoral care, worship services, counseling, food, clothing, and other essential support for these families. He also organizes special events and holiday celebrations for the children.

One of the greatest needs each year is helping students prepare for school. The cost of backpacks and supplies can be a significant burden for many families. Working from school supply lists provided by Rev. Bunker, our congregation seeks to equip approximately 25–30 students of varying ages with everything they need for a successful school year.

How You Can Help

We are collecting school supplies throughout the summer. Many items are purchased through our Amazon registry, while others are donated by individuals who shop local back-to-school sales.

Shop Our Amazon Registry

Purchase supplies directly from our backpack registry.

Shop on Your Own

You may also purchase supplies independently from our supply list below and deliver them to:

Baptist Church in the Great Valley
Scott Education Building
945 N. Valley Forge Road
Devon, PA 19333

Donations may be dropped off during regular church office hours.

Back-to-School Supply Needs

• Sturdy School backpacks
• Composition and Spiral notebooks
• Pens, Pencils, and Highlighters
• Pencil Cases
• Folders
• Erasers
• Glue sticks
• Scissors & Rulers
• Markers, Crayons and Colored Pencils
• Book Covers
• Loose Leaf Paper/ Notebook Paper/ Graph Paper
• Index Cards
• Binders
• Calculators:
  • a.TI-30 (16 needed)
  • b.TI-84 (11 needed)
• Gift Cards (Amazon, WalMart, Target)

Backpack Packing Day

On Sunday, July 26, 2026, following worship, volunteers will gather in Fellowship Hall for a light lunch and a backpack-packing event. Together, we will organize and pack the supplies for delivery to the students and families served by the mission. Please join us for a fun hour or two!

Supporting the Backpack Drive

Our Mission Board also raises funds through Election Day hospitality events. On General Election Days, volunteers host a bake sale featuring homemade treats and coffee. During Primary Elections, we offer pretzels and beverages to voters as a thank-you for their support.

These efforts help supplement donated supplies and ensure that every backpack is filled with the items students need.

Thank you for helping us share God’s love in a practical way. Your generosity will make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families as they prepare for a new school year.