FRANKLIN — With July heat hanging very heavy in the air, Beth Moore already has her sights set on Christmas.
More precisely, she’s focused on the Christmas Backpacks ministry. It’s an initiative that places backpacks filled with toys, clothing, hygiene products, food and other essentials into the hands of children from low-income families.
The effort also serves as a vehicle for outreach and evangelism among participating churches.
Moore, who serves as compassion ministry specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, has witnessed the program’s far-reaching impact across the state and is energized heading into this year’s campaign.
“This ministry allows our churches to meet a tangible need while doing the most important work of sharing the gospel. Children get to hear that Jesus loves them — and see that love in action — when they receive these backpacks,” Moore said.
Tennessee Baptists joined the nationwide Christmas Backpacks initiative in 2018, with roughly 150 churches taking part that first year.
Since then, the program has distributed more than 27,000 backpacks statewide, with participation and donations growing steadily. In recent years, approximately 6,000 backpacks have been provided each Christmas season.
Last year, 153 churches donated 6,942 backpacks. Moore and her team have set a goal of 7,000 for 2026 — a milestone that would put the cumulative total somewhere between 34,000 and 35,000 since the program launched.
“We are appreciative of all the churches that provide backpacks, but we would love to have more involved because there is always such a tremendous need,” Moore said.
She noted that one in five children in Tennessee lives in poverty.
“The Christmas Backpacks ministry allows ministries working with these children to strengthen relationships and show them in a very tangible way that Christ and His church care for them,” she said. It also gives Tennessee Baptists “an opportunity to do what we do best — work together to take the gospel to the least of these.”
For more information, visit tnbaptist.org/backpacks.
Collection dates will be in October 2026 from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. at the locations listed below. Specific dates will be posted as they become available.
• Manley Baptist Church Christian Activities Center, 3603 W. Andrew Johnson Highway, Morristown
• Genesis Baptist Church, 111 Elizabeth Street, Athens
• Oaklawn Baptist Church, 3977 Highway 70-E, Crossville
• Sequatchie Valley Baptist Association, 300 Cornerstone Drive, Jasper
• Missions Mobilization Center, 6434 John Hager Road, Mt. Juliet
• New Zion Baptist Church, 1595 Sumac Road, Pulaski
• West Jackson Baptist Church, 580 Oil Well Road, Jackson
• Gibson Baptist Church, 302 Highway 79 N, Humboldt
Packing guidelines for Christmas Backpacks
All backpacks and their contents must be new items — please do not include anything used or previously owned. Remember: This may be a child’s only Christmas gift. One fully packed backpack is far better than several half-filled ones.
Every backpack should include a copy of the Christmas Story (mailed to registering organizations) and an age-appropriate children’s or teen Bible.
Suggested items by category:
• Toys: Small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, noise- or light-up toys (include extra batteries), card games, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, Slinkys, Frisbees, and small Etch A Sketches
• Hygiene (sealed in zip-lock bags): Toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap, shampoo, hairbrush, comb, ponytail holders, barrettes, hair clips, washcloth
• Clothing (new, with tags): T-shirts, underwear, socks, warm hat, gloves, scarf, ball cap, fleece pullover, warm outerwear
• Food: Canned goods with pop-tops, protein bars, hard candy and lollipops (double-bagged; no chocolate), mints, gum — no peanuts or peanut butter, no perishables, no items that can be crushed or opened in transit
• Other: Age-appropriate Christian books, sunglasses, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights with extra batteries
For older kids (ages 11–17):
• Girls: Lip gloss, costume jewelry, scarves, friendship bracelets, craft kits, journals, fun socks and slippers, doodle books, Spirograph kits, feminine hygiene supplies
• Boys: LEGOs, card games, hand-held electronic games, flashlights with extra batteries, basketballs, soccer balls, NERF products
Please note: Do not include knives or any perishable or fragile food items.