A Washington resident is making sure some kids don’t have to start school this year without the supplies they need — but he’s also trying to create a spirit of unity in the community.

Phillip Bryant, leader of the Christ Calling Christians ministry, said the ministry has been collecting school supplies for both students and teachers in need, and the original plan was to present the supplies at an event on the Washington waterfront this Saturday.

But after more thought, he decided it would be better to present the supplies privately, as some families in need may be embarrassed by their inability to afford supplies.

“We just don’t think that that is very logical,” Bryant said. “We don’t want to demean anyone. … This is a much more needed situation because they need these supplies.”

Instead, the ministry continues to collect donations and supplies for those who need them and partnered with Purpose of God Annex Outreach Center to present a check for $500 to about 30 children who could use the money for supplies at a summer program graduation celebration last Friday.

Bryant said he thinks the community could benefit from all of the area’s churches banding together to hold outreach projects for needs like school supplies — and that’s where the waterfront event comes in.

Christ Calling Christians, along with South Point Community Church, Covenant Church, Harvest Church, Church of the Good Shepherd and First United Methodist, among others, is holding a worship night at Festival Park on Saturday night to promote a real sense of community and solve the problem of “a church on every corner, but no one working together.”

“We think it’s kind of foolish,” Bryant said. “We’re trying to break that chain, so to speak.”

The event, at 7 p.m., will be a night of worship songs, lasting about two and a half hours and including a performance by River Song Trio. Brotherly Love’s Lonnie Daniels, who will be giving backpacks and school supplies to families in need on Saturday at Beebe Memorial Park, is also planning to join the worship group afterward, Bryant said.

“We just segregate ourselves; that’s our nature,” he said. “If we had all as a community had been working together…then maybe we could’ve gotten the entire community covered.”

He said this is one of the first outreach events the ministry has done in Washington since he moved to the town in 2014, and he hopes to build connections with other ministries.

“I felt like I really needed to learn the community before I went out doing things,” Bryant said. “We’re the mediator between the churches.”

“I want it to look like what the heavens look like. … This town, Washington, does have (unity), but it’s probably better to strengthen the unity.”

For more information on the worship night and to donate supplies or contact someone about a need for supplies, visit the website at www.bococommunity.com.