SYLVESTER, Ga. (WALB) — A Sylvester church marked America’s 250th anniversary Saturday by partnering with the Albany Rescue Mission to collect and donate food, clothing and hygiene products for people in need.

Students with Open Door Fellowship Church took part in the effort, which church leaders framed as a hands-on lesson in community service tied to the nation’s semiseptennial celebration.

“We’re celebrating 250 years for our nation, and one of the goals for young people for this year is to do acts of service,” said Dr. Karen Carr, senior pastor of Open Door Fellowship Church. “And so we’re trying to teach our kids in Sunday school how to serve and how to give back to the community. So we had an opportunity to collect food and clothes for the Albany Rescue Mission.”

Church leaders said the project focused on helping people facing difficult circumstances. The church donated food and summer clothing, with a portion of the clothing designated specifically for women served by the Albany Rescue Mission.

Carr said the partnership with the Albany Rescue Mission developed through an existing contact at the organization’s women’s house.

She added the goal of the project was not about the volume of items collected but about instilling a sense of service in young people.

“We’ve kind of made it a little bit of a contest and we have them bring canned foods,” Carr said. “And that’s why we had it displayed in the sanctuary, because we want them to see what they were collecting. And it wasn’t so much how much we could do, but the fact that we’re doing something.”

Church leaders said they hope the effort reminds young people that community service is one of the nation’s enduring values.

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