CUMMING — The Forsyth community is being asked to gather Saturday for One Great Day of Service.

Cumming First United Methodist Church organizes the annual event by coordinating numerous service projects throughout the area to help those who are in need of food, supplies and support.

“Our good Lord tells us to go out and serve others, and that’s what we do,” said Bill Mills of the church at 770 Canton Highway. “We’re called to love our neighbors and ourselves and take care of those who are in need.”

The day will begin at 7:45 a.m. with check-in and breakfast, followed by a Communion service.

More than 200 people are expected to either head out to project sites or stay at the church to participate.

Mills said those at the church will bake cookies, make cards, knit prayer shawls and crochet blankets for people in hospice and the military serving overseas.

“The food drive is probably one of the biggest projects,” he said.

The drive consists of people going around the community and collecting donations from predetermined sites, with people bringing in “truck-loads” throughout the day.

Collected food will be put into “backpacks of love,” which are distributed throughout the year to children on free and reduced lunch programs at Forsyth County public schools who do not receive food on weekends, holidays and breaks.

“We’re also going to a couple of locations to promote our summer lunch program for students,” he said.

Participants in projects away from the church will visit assisted living facilities for ice cream socials or help elderly residents with landscaping and house cleaning.

There will also be a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

According to Mills, the event is a good way for people who want to get more involved in helping their community to start out.

“For people who aren’t used to going out and serving on their own,” he said. “It’s easier to go with a group of friends and to get the exposure to the different agencies and needs in the county and, hopefully, make it something they do more often than one great day a year.”