As Atlanta-area families prepare for the return to classrooms, a prominent DeKalb County church is stepping up to ease the financial strain with a major back-to-school event. New Birth Missionary Baptist Church will distribute free backpacks and groceries during a weekend celebration designed to support students and recognize educators.
The giveaway, which coincides with the final days before many DeKalb schools resume classes, provides essential supplies that thousands of Metro Atlanta parents struggle to afford each year. Backpacks — often a costly line item on back-to-school lists — will be handed out alongside groceries to help families stock their pantries as they transition from summer to the academic calendar.
Located in Stonecrest, New Birth has long been a force in community outreach. This weekend’s gathering continues that tradition, responding directly to the economic pressures felt in many corners of DeKalb County. Though the COVID-19 pandemic has receded, inflation and stagnant wages have kept food insecurity and school supply costs persistent concerns. By coupling a backpack distribution with a grocery giveaway, the church is addressing two of the most pressing needs facing families heading into fall.
The church also plans a special Sunday service to honor all 138 principals of the DeKalb County School District. The recognition underscores New Birth’s commitment to public education in a county where school leaders often operate with limited resources. During the service, principals will be acknowledged for their dedication to students and their role in shaping the next generation of Atlantans.
“We believe in wrapping our arms around our educators and our families,” a church statement said, outlining the dual focus of the weekend.
DeKalb County School District remains one of the largest and most diverse school systems in Georgia, serving over 100,000 students. Many of those students come from households where budgets are stretched thin, making community-driven initiatives like this one essential. The backpack and grocery distribution follows a series of similar events across the metro area, but New Birth’s scale — and its direct salute to the district’s entire principal corps — sets it apart.
The back-to-school weekend is free and open to the public. Details regarding exact timing and registration were available through the church’s communication channels, organizers said, and families were encouraged to arrive early due to anticipated demand.
For years, New Birth has hosted health fairs, job training workshops, and food drives. This event blends immediate material aid with a symbolic boost to morale, both for caregivers and for the educators who guide their children. As school bells ring again, the church’s efforts highlight the role that faith institutions continue to play in Atlanta’s social safety net, filling gaps where public funding falls short.
Community advocates have praised such partnerships. With state investments in school nutrition and supplies often lagging, faith-based and nonprofit organizations become critical allies. This weekend, those allies are inviting DeKalb families to come not just for what they can carry home, but to share in a moment of collective appreciation for the people who lead classrooms every day.