BY TRACY LEE TATE
Times Editor
Things have been busy at Promised Land Family Ministries (PLFM), with both another free community event and the beginning of a planned project that will benefit the young people of the Union County community.
On Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023 board and about 25 community members gathered for a ceremony commemorating the groundbreaking for a new educational facility at PLFM. The ground was broken by several of the organization’s board members in preparation for the physical beginning of the long-planned project. The facility will be located to the existing pole barn on the property. The new building will be about 2,500 sq. ft. and feature an open plan classroom that will accommodate 40-50 students engaged in hand-on learning projects.
“This new building will allow us to offer more special events and programs to the community,” said Rebecca Hall, co-founder of PLFM. “All of our events and programs are free to anyone who wishes to attend, and we intend to keep it that way. We are striving to be a participating part of the community.”
The educational facility project is to be funded through grants, and in-kind and monetary donations. The organization is actively raising funds to help make their vision a reality in the near future. They welcome any donations of building materials, skilled labor and volunteers to assist in the construction.
Two days later, on Saturday, Aug.5, 2023, PLFM held a second event – Backpacks and Blessings. Under the organization’s big, open-air pavilion were tables stacked with backpacks and needed school supplies. Young people could pick up their backpack and a Bible at the start of the line and then walk down the array of supplies, selecting their own with the assistance of volunteers. In total, 230 youngsters received a backpack, a Bible and most of the supplies they would need to help them succeed in the coming school year. Also given out were free jars of peanut butter and drawing were held for clothing and gift cards. After all were served a free lunch was offered with the drawing being held during the feast.
All the school supplies left over will be donated in the community. PLFM is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible. It is a completely volunteer run organization with no paid staff or management.
