Christ’s Table filled more than stomachs Monday

Volunteers+from+the+New+California+Presbyterian+Church+in+Marysville+help+a+child+fill+her+backpack+according+to+her+school+supply+list.

Jessica Johnston

Volunteers from the New California Presbyterian Church in Marysville help a child fill her backpack according to her school supply list.

By Jessica Johnston, Reporter

Schools in Muskingum County are kicking off the 2018-2019 academic school year this week and Christ’s Table partnered with New California Presbyterian Church to help families in need.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. volunteers from the New California Presbyterian Church were stuffing backpacks with supply list necessities.

For about 10 years, the church from Marysville has been coming to Zanesville for two special occasions, back-to-school time and Christmas. Reverend Earl Dunbar, who has been with the church for a year and a half, said the school supplies they offer equip about 35 to 40 children with all the things on their supply list including a backpack.

The church brought 12 volunteers to set up shop next to Christ’s Table and help children check off their supply lists. Each child received a backpack, school supplies and topped off their new materials with a Bible.

“It’s been a long-standing relationship … we love it here, we love the people, we like to get to know the folks,” Dunbar said. “I’m always impressed how, at lunch (at Christ’s Table), you’ll have the working-poor with the homeless with the bankers and the lawyers and they’re all sitting together at lunch. We love that. And it’s a great opportunity for us to share the love of Christ with others.”

The church has been serving the Zanesville community for many years and even added in a summer mission trip in June to serve the people in the area.

While it’s a little too warm for coats in August, Christ’s Table and California Presbyterian are already anticipating the annual coat-drive that happens in December.

Dunbar said his church always enjoys coming to Zanesville and is thankful to the people and businesses that donated school supplies for the event today.