Bellview Baptist Church Youth Ministry and WMU will host a Back to School Clothing Crusade on Aug. 18.

From 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 14, volunteers will be at the church Activities Building to accept clothing donations — all sizes for men, women, boys and girls.

Justin Carter, youth pastor, said the church congregation feels passionate about helping people.

“The crusade is to show love to the people in our community,” he said. “I believe that is the role of the church.”

The idea was drawn from his previous experience at Piedmont Avenue Baptist Church in Rockmart.

“We had a similar event there,” he said. “The response was unbelievable. A line of people was at the door on the day clothing was distributed.”

He believes the area in and around the Bellview Community could draw the same number.

Carter emphasized that family budgets are tight due to the slow economy and job loss.

“Children quickly outgrow their clothes and new jeans, shirts, shoes and other items can be expensive, especially if there are several kids in school,” he said.

On Aug. 18, he said volunteers would be prepared to distribute donated items to anyone in the community that wishes to come by and make selections.

If anything remains after that day, plans are to present the clothes to the thrift store in Cedartown.

Meanwhile, Bellview’s youth group is seeking other ways they can help in the community.

A day trip to the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home in Palmetto, GA is also planned.

According to Carter, the trip will provide an opportunity for the youth to see other children and what is being done to help them. He hopes the group can assist with activities during the visit.

About 35 youth from grades 6 to 12 also took part in a lock in during June and communication lines are kept open by a variety of ways, including a newsletter identified as “THEEnews.”