NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A local church leader is preparing to open his church to children in the community for a summer camp but is in need of volunteers and food donations.
Bishop Marcus Campbell of Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church started a weekly lunch program 10 years ago in his community.
"I started off with just doing the breakfast and lunch program through Metro Action to try and feed the kids in the Cheatham Housing community and the parents were mistaken. They thought it was a summer camp so when they dropped them off for breakfast they left the kids and they didn't come back until 4:30 p.m." he smiled
After that, the lunch program turned into a two-month long camp. This summer, Campbell said 240 children have signed up and he's hoping Middle Tennesseeans will help provide food and water for the children. Campbell grew up in the community and understands the struggles parents face.
"They're just barely making it by from bill to bill, month to month and we're just providing a place for them to be able to send their kids without it being a financial strain on them. So the kids can be somewhere that's safe and fun. We're going to encourage them enlighten them and love them and get them ready for their grade that they're going to in the fall," he said.
The summer program starts on June 3rd and ends July 27. The program costs $75 for the whole summer which goes towards camp t-shirts, paper towels, food utensils, trash bags and cleaning supplies.
Donations can be delivered to the church located at 1032 Monroe St. or contact Campbell via e-mail at Mt.Carmelmbcnashville@gmail.com or by phone 615-636-0012.
