Brookland United Methodist Church in West Columbia teamed up with 12 Springs Community Church for a Back-to-school bookbag giveaway. There was also a school supply giveaway at Turner Memorial AME Church. Both were on Saturday. (Photos courtesy of Turner Memorial AME Church, Brookland United Methodist Church.)

Hundreds of cars lined up for the drive-thru giveaway. In addition to school supplies and book bags, the recipients were treated to Kona Ice snow cones.

At Turner Memorial AME, the sponsors were Pressley’s Funeral Home, Turner AME City of West Columbia, Rev. I Daryl Pressley, West Columbia Councilman Mickey Pringle and Rev. Kenneth Taylor of Turner Memorial AME Church.

At Brookland United Methodist, more than 30 sponsors supplied around 500 bookbags for children in the community. Pastor Mark Payne and Joey Yandle, church Sound and Livestream Director, were organizers of the event.

West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles, West Columbia Councilman Joseph Dickey and Senator Katrina Shealy also helped, along with members of the West Columbia Police and Fire Department.

Also, Sen. Nikki Setzler and his wife AdaJane were on hand for the Back-to-school bookbag giveaway. He said they were both “incredibly touched” to be asked to help give the school supplies. More than 500 book bags filled with supplies and donated student face shields were given away at Brookland United Methodist Church.

It was “a tremendous ministry by the church members and volunteers,” said Setzler.