End Time Ministries International, in partnership with Families Back to the Table Inc. and Darren and Shoney Pruitt, owners of The Nutrition Lounge in Rockford, Illinois, partnered to give away over 300 backpacks filled with school supplies to children in the Madison area during the annual End Time Back to School giveaway and mini-carnival on Saturday, Aug. 16.
“We strategized and pooled our resources together,” Bishop Godfrey Stubbs of End Time Ministries International tells Madison365. “We had a budget of $5,000, and although we went a little over, we didn’t mind because we genuinely wanted to bless the children in our community.”
The annual event, held on the grounds of End Time Ministries International Church in Monona, is not only an opportunity for students to get all of the neccessary school supplies for the coming school year, but to also enjoy a mini-carnival with a bouncy house, slides, and games and delicious treats likes nachos and cheese, baked beans, popcorn, snow cones, cakes, hot dogs, hamburgers, and a variety of beverages.
“It was important for us to provide the kids with not only the supplies they need but also a fun day to kick off the school year,” Stubbs said. “Ms. Lisa Burrell, president of Families Back To the Table, Inc., and the Pruitt family joined us to enhance this event’s impact in our community. This initiative is vital, especially given the financial struggles many families face. Our goal was to alleviate some of that burden.”
DJ Monte’Natra McNeal played a mix of old and new school music and fun characters in costumes made their way around the party to entertain the kids. Activities included a bouncy castle, waterslide, hula hoops, and a dunk tank where kids could dunk church leaders.
“Seeing the joy on the kids’ faces — and even the parents’ — made me feel like a kid again. Just witnessing their smiles and laughter was incredibly rewarding,” Stubbs said.
Bishop Stubbs, who was born and raised in the Bahamas, is the leader of a church that originated from a vacation Bible school initiative in the Bridge Lake Point neighborhood and was officially recognized as End Time Missionary Baptist Church in the summer of 2002. Over the years, the church has developed community initiatives, including the Thanksgiving basket program, Christmas toy and coat drive, and the Back-to-School giveaway.
“We’ve always aspired to host a larger event like this. We started small in that first year, giving away 50 backpacks from another organization, but this year was monumental,” Stubbs said. “It was an opportunity to reach out to the community as a whole — to children from across Madison, regardless of where they come from. It was heartwarming to see so much happiness as kids received their back-to-school gifts.” 
Monona Police Department Chief of Police Brian Chaney was present at the Back to School Giveaway to help distribute the school bags and supplies. There are still some backpacks available for young people who may have missed the event.
“We still have a few backpacks left. If you need a backpack for school this fall, you can stop by End Time Ministries International at 6200 Monona Drive in Monona,” Stubbs says. “People can come by us, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., to pick up supplies for your children. You can also email me at [email protected].”
