Children at Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist church's summer program celebrated the last day with a Back-To-School event.
The North Nashville program which offered tutoring and meals to more than 200 children nearly ended two months due to the lack of funding.
Newschannel 5 spoke to Pastor Marcus Campbell on June 15 who at that time asked the community for donations.
Campbell said his prayer request was answered as organizations in Nashville donated food and water for the children.
"Everybody is still reaching out trying to partner for the benefit of these kids and just to make them happy and see a smile on their face," Campbell said.
@TBInvestigation Special Agent Academy members dropped off some backpacks filled with school supplies to children at Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist church in North Nashville. Today was the summer program’s Back-To-School celebration. @NC5pic.twitter.com/UYjfXmfwVr
— Brandon Marshall (@NC5_BMarshall) July 27, 2018
On Friday, agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Academy dropped off backpacks filled with school supplies.
"It really makes me feel wonderful because as law-enforcement we are really reactive. That is the nature of the job and it’s an opportunity to for us to be proactive and do some good in the community and reach out to let people know we are there for them," Special Agent Training Division Melanie Garner said.
She said after watching the story about the church's need she organized a backpack and school supplies collection with other agents.
Many of the children received their only meal of the day thanks to the summer program.
Garner said she related to the needs of the children and church which is part of a gentrified community.
"We had some of the same issues. My parents were a part of the working poor and so I absolutely relate to some of the struggles that the kids have. They have a future and there’s hope for them and I want them to know that through education and through interaction in the community that that will be possible," she said.
Children at Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist church sang ‘We Are The World’ during the last day of their summer program. #StopTheGunViolence. @NC5pic.twitter.com/eCzjL5Dyr2
— Brandon Marshall (@NC5_BMarshall) July 27, 2018
The program costs $75 for the whole summer which goes towards camp t-shirts, paper towels, food utensils, trash bags and cleaning supplies. Campbell said he's thankful for the community's help this year.
