Your Community Needs You: 11 Church Outreach Ideas for Back-to-School Season

Nearly three-quarters of Americans find back-to-school costs to be a significant challenge. Imagine the stress of a parent faced with a growing child who needs new shoes, clothes, and a long list of school supplies. The anxiety of wondering how to make ends meet while also providing for their child’s needs. 

These moments, which should mark the beginning of an exciting school year, are instead filled with financial burden and uncertainty. 

And it’s not just parents feeling the strain. 

On average, educators spend between $500 and $750 annually on student supplies. 

Churches and places of worship have a unique opportunity to support their community’s parents, students, and teachers in meaningful ways. 

Your congregation wants to help 

Not only are churches equipped to support these causes, but congregants are enthusiastic about doing so. 90% of faith givers agree that helping those in need is a key reason to give, according to our latest research. Additionally, education and youth and family services were among the most important areas of nonprofit donations from people of faith in 2023. 

But their support extends well beyond financial contributions. Over 71% actively volunteer with places of worship, nonprofits, community groups, or directly with those in need. It’s not just money they wish to provide, it’s their time and talents too. 

By supporting these causes, churches underscore their dedication to community service and foster deeper connections within and beyond their congregations. 

11 impactful back-to-school outreach programs for churches 

The list below includes ideas you can implement in just a few hours or over a few months, so you can choose those that work best for you and your community. If school has already started in your neighborhood, consider these ideas to strengthen your efforts for next year. 

1. Write prayer cards 

Create and distribute prayer cards to offer spiritual support and encouragement to students, teachers, and schools. Include words of support, relevant prayers, or simple messages of hope. 

Invite church members to get involved by writing short, personalized notes on each of the cards. Set up a table after service and encourage members to participate. Recruit volunteers to help distribute the cards during an upcoming church service or at a community event. 

2. Celebrate students and teachers on social media 

Use your church’s social media channels to celebrate and recognize students, teachers, and school staff. Start by gathering information and photos from church members, including personal stories, academic successes, and special milestones. 

Regularly post these shoutouts on your social media platforms to acknowledge and highlight the individuals’ efforts and accomplishments. 

Consider including a unique mobile giving link in your posts to raise funds for supporting students and teachers. And be sure to highlight the impact of their donations in future posts! 

3. Organize a school prayer walk 

Organize a short prayer walk around a local school to provide spiritual support and care for your community. Pray for the students, teachers, administrators, and the school year ahead. 

Simply coordinate with local schools and choose a date and time. Then, invite church members to join you as you walk around the school, stopping and praying for protection and blessings. 

4. Host a back-to-school service 

Host a special church service dedicated to blessing and encouraging students, teachers, and parents as they prepare for the new school year. Plan a themed service with relevant sermons, prayers, and music. 

Invite local educators and school administrators to participate in the service. Consider offering a small gift or token of appreciation to students and teachers. This could be something as simple as a bookmark with an encouraging message or a small prayer card. 

5. Organize a school supply drive 

Collect essential school supplies and distribute them to students in need, ensuring every child starts the school year off right. Announce the drive during church services, in the church bulletin, and on social media. 

Create a detailed list of needed supplies, such as backpacks, notebooks, pencils, rulers, and calculators. Set up donation bins in the church and around town at the local library or community center. 

Once you’ve gathered everything, organize a day to distribute supplies to families in need before the school year begins. 

6. Plan a youth group kickoff 

Organize an event to launch the new year for the church’s youth group. Use the kickoff to create excitement for the year ahead and introduce the group’s upcoming programs and activities. 

Include food, music, and fun activities like interactive games, team-building exercises, and creative arts and crafts. Promote the event through church communication channels and extend the initiation to local families and schools. 

7. Organize a back-to-school picnic 

Host a community picnic to celebrate the start of the school year, providing an opportunity for families and students to connect. Choose a location like a local park or the church grounds. Organize food, games, music, and activities like face painting, sports, and craft stations. 

Promote the picnic through church networks and community bulletin boards to get the word out to local families. Consider hosting a Givelithon during the event, where attendees can make donations to fund resources and programs for students and teachers throughout the school year. 

8. Host a teacher appreciation day 

Organize a special day to honor and show appreciation for teachers in your community. Invite local educators to the church for refreshments and provide them with gifts or thank-you notes to recognize their efforts. 

As a bonus, consider fulfilling teacher wishlists for needed classroom supplies. Reach out to teachers in advance to collect their wishlist items. Organize a collection drive or encourage donations from members to help clear their wishlists before school starts. 

9. Start a tutoring or mentorship program 

Create a tutoring or mentorship program to support students academically during the school year. Invite church members to volunteer their time and unique skills. 

Schedule regular tutoring sessions at the church, a community center, or the local school. Work with school administrators and counselors to identify students in need and match them with tutors who can mentor them throughout the school year. 

10. Sponsor a local school 

Establish a long-term partnership by sponsoring a local school, offering support through resources, volunteer efforts, or financial assistance. Start by identifying a local school in need of support and meet with administrators to determine how your church can help. 

Implement ongoing initiatives to support the school’s needs. This could involve making regular donations of essential classroom supplies such as textbooks or computers or organizing volunteer programs to provide personalized support to students through tutoring and mentorship. You can even organize fundraising events to help the school raise funds for special programs or improvements they may not have the financial resources to support. 

11. Start a scholarship program 

Launch a scholarship program to provide financial assistance to students, helping cover school-related expenses such as tuition, textbooks, and extracurricular fees. 

Begin by establishing criteria for scholarship eligibility, including academic achievements, financial need, and any specific goals or relevant qualifications. Outline an application process and form a committee to review applications and award scholarships. 

To fund the program, organize fundraising activities and allocate funds from the church’s budget. Use a mobile giving app like Givelify to encourage members to contribute specifically to the scholarship fund and support students in need. 

Support Your Community Through Back-to-School Outreach 

Back-to-school outreach programs offer churches meaningful ways to support their communities, demonstrate compassion, and build lasting relationships. In this new school season, embrace these opportunities to serve and uplift those around you. 

Whether through prayer, social media, picnics, or scholarship programs, your efforts can provide much-needed support and encouragement, making a positive difference in the lives of students, families, and educators.