For many parents, back-to-school time means rushing to the store to buy the supplies their children need for the first day of school and Central Church of God hopes to ease the burden of one elementary school in Portage. 
Central Church of God held a school supply drive to provide class necessities to the students of Crisman Elementary School. Items collected include notebooks, folders, glue, erasers, loose-leaf paper, pens, pencils, scissors, crayon and tissues.
The school supply drive was sponsored by the church’s woman’s ministry and is in the sixth year of helping local schools with supplies.
Pastor Jerry Martin said the drive is a part of the churches vision to pastor our city and find a need and supplying it.
Principal Scott Hufford said with a tough economy, he is glad there are still people who are willing to help.
Chrissy Huisinga, a kindergarten aid for Crisman, said a lot of the time it’s the teachers that help fund for school supplies in the class, so the drive helps them too.
The church previously sent school supplies to elementary schools in South Haven and Lake Station.
Photo: Central Church of God Youth Pastor Chad Muncy helps unload supplies donated to Crisman Elementary School. This is the sixth year the church has participated in school supply drives for local schools.