Good News: Project 216: Helping students and teachers

SYLVANIA, GA (WTOC) - A small church in Sylvania has taken on the mission of helping local children and supporting teachers in their community.

That includes food, clothes, school supplies and more. Bureau Chief Dal Cannady shows us Project 216 in action in today's Good News.

Folks packed the fellowship hall of Believers Church Wednesday evening to feed needy kids, one bag of food at a time. They packed several hundred bags to distribute to 40 kids per Friday through the fall. Pastor Clint Williams started Project 216 after a conference with his own daughter's teacher.

"She began to tell me about how many kids had needs, that didn't have basic supplies, basic clothes, basic stuff that we take for granted every day," said Pastor Clint Williams, Believers Church.

Project 216 helps feed elementary and middle school children who might not get fed on the weekends. In addition, they distribute shopping cards to local teachers to help with supplies and allow teachers to be their eyes and ears for further needs.

"We've done everything from clothes and shoes to soap and deodorants. For the older kids, we've done ear buds, USB drives that they need to do their homework," Williams said.

The team of volunteers now stretches beyond Believers Church. In addition, businesses help fund the project to further help change the community.

"I like to call myself an opportunist. We always have to look for an opportunity to be ready to help anybody that comes up," Williams said.

Williams drew the group name from a Bible verse that calls for the church to help meet physical needs around them.

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