With DeKalb students back in class Monday, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church spent the weekend tackling the stuff that can make or break a school morning: food in the kitchen, supplies in the backpack and adults at school who know the community has their backs.
The Stonecrest church’s two-day initiative brought together families, volunteers, educators and school leaders. About 1,000 families experiencing food insecurity received groceries, school supplies and household essentials, according to CBS Atlanta.
The groceries were intended to support families for roughly two weeks, while household items were meant to help create home environments where students can study and focus. The effort arrived as the DeKalb County School District opened its 2026-27 year and promoted its own back-to-school rally, complete with shuttle service, interpreters and sensory-friendly supports, according to the DeKalb school district.
New Birth Turns Attention Toward Educators
The church’s support was not limited to students. A Sunday service at New Birth’s Stonecrest campus focused on principals, teachers and administrators, with prayer, encouragement and care packages for school leaders.
Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant said the church wanted DeKalb principals to know they are “thought of, prayed for and remembered,” while calling teachers the community’s unsung heroes. CBS Atlanta reported that New Birth has shifted some of its support toward educators, who often serve as mentors, counselors and steady points of contact for children.
Bryant also said the initiative was inspired by a care package his mother sent him when he first arrived at Morehouse College. The personal story stayed in the background, but the message was clear: preparation for school starts at home and depends on more than a new notebook.
A Familiar DeKalb Model
New Birth’s weekend effort fits a longer-running pattern of DeKalb faith groups stepping in when families need help getting ready for class. In August 2023, DeKalb County government said it was partnering with local faith leaders to distribute 5,000 bookbags alongside food boxes, with New Birth listed as one of the distribution sites.
For families, that combination matters. A stocked pantry, a workable place to study and an educator who feels supported can make the first bell a little less stressful—and give the school year a sturdier start.
