With countless crates of plastic storage bags, toiletries and scripture booklets filling St. Andrews Baptist Church, Columbia, it must be time to celebrate Christmas.
For more than 30 years, churches across South Carolina have been assembling packets as gifts to inmates in the state’s correctional system. Each packet is filled with a toothbrush, toothpaste, a writing tablet, embossed envelopes, a writing pen, a bar of soap and mints or candy.
As packets are turned in to the local associations, each bag passes through Columbia to be inspected by convention staff, prison chaplains and other volunteers before distribution to inmates. A scripture booklet and Christmas card are also inserted. Inmates from correctional facilities in Columbia also assist in checking the packets.
More than 150 volunteers took part in the 2006 collection, one of the largest volunteer efforts in recent years.
This year, a record number 27,914 packets were collected – enough to provide for every inmate in state correctional facilities and the Department of Juvenile Justice, and provide an overage for any inmates who will enter the system at a later date.
“Praise the Lord for such a great outpouring of love and generosity of South Carolina Baptists,” said Tim Rice, South Carolina Baptist Convention mobilization strategist and event organizer.
The ministry has grown from an estimated 4,000 packets 30 years ago to this year’s surplus.
Lloyd Roberts, Department of Corrections head chaplain, has seen the packets make an impact on the inmates in his 10 years of working in the prison system.
“People with such low self-esteem are in awe that someone would do something for them without expecting anything in return, even the most hardened inmates.”
Roberts points out that the women are especially appreciative. Two women who were formally incarcerated returned to help this year.