The beneficiary of WellsFest 2023 is Operation Shoestring. Founded in 1968 in a back room at Wells Church in response to the struggles of the civil rights era, Operation Shoestring was born out of a desire by local residents to put their values into action by uplifting children and families in our central Jackson service community, especially in the areas of education, health and economic equity.

Since then, Operation Shoestring has been at the forefront of efforts to improve the lives of the children and families they serve through high-quality after-school and summer programs for kids, services and support for their parents, and more. Their core service community consists of neighborhoods bordering the southern end of Bailey Avenue in central Jackson, Mississippi.

The scope of Operation Shoestring’s work has grown over the years, but the vision remains the same since its founding: love your neighbor as yourself, and act on that love. Today, Operation Shoestring provides year-round academic, social, and emotional support services to some 200 pre-K - 7th grade children a year, while providing resources to their families. 

Learn more about Operation Shoestring at operationshoestring.org.