Summer’s End Jam

Community carnival raises money for food pantry

“We are a six-year-old church plant and have done a multitude of outreach events. One of the most effective community engagement events has been what we call Summer’s End Jam,” says Pastor John Mackall of CrossLife Community Church in Elkridge, Md. “It started as just a community carnival with a moon bounce and games but took on new purpose when we began to raise money for our local food pantry. We moved the event from a field at a local private school somewhat hidden in our community to the parking lot of a grocery store. We added live music from local artists willing to donate their time and asked community businesses to provide door prizes and raffle items. We also ask local school principals and teachers to go in the dunk tank and raise money. We have added vendor tables and community groups and asked other churches to join in.

“Our church budgets more than $1,000 to run this event, but we’ve been able to partner with our Baptist associations and other local organizations to help offset many of the expenses. Each year, we see 800 to 1,000 people come. We load a pickup truck full of donated food each year and over the past four have raised more the $14,000 for our local food pantry to help those in need. By the way, our average church attendance is about 65.”