BY TRACY LEE TATE
Special to the Times
Promised Land Family Ministries held its annual back-to-school backpack giveaway last month, providing 160 K-12 students with backpacks and school supplies free of charge.
Over 300 people attended the event, including kids, parents, and volunteers. Guests first signed in with volunteers from the Lake Butler Women’s Club, and then adults socialized while their youngsters got in line to select their backpacks and collect a variety of school supplies. Play areas with games were available for the young people, and seating in the shade was the main attraction for the adults.
Lunch was provided to all, and then several drawings were held for toys and gift cards. Even the youngsters whose ticket stub number was not called got a small prize. There were also free jars of peanut butter for anyone who wanted some.
Promised Land Family Ministries would like to thank all its volunteers and the event sponsors: the Lake Butler Woman’s Club, the Rays of Hope Foundation, Winn-Dixie, Walmart, the Florida Peanut Federation, Lake Butler McDonalds, and Canvas Church.
Promised Land Family Ministries is a non-profit organization that teaches young people the connection between faith and farming. They host several events yearly for families with educational programs for young people. All events are faith-based. In the future, Promised Land hopes to increase the programs and services they provide for the community, including summer day camps and after-school programs. The organization has received a grant from Clay Electric to build another building to provide more cover and shade for those attending their events. They are raising funds for a dedicated educational facility and have already received a donation of a complete, installed septic system for the project, courtesy of Andrews Site Prep.
As further proof of their dedication to the community, Promised Land Family Ministries has started a monthly food giveaway, seeing and trying to help meet a need in the community. The next food event is set for Thurs. Sept 26, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. All are welcome.
