Lutheran Church of the Cross is once again helping at risk children in Pinellas County as they prepare to go back to school this fall. Each year, we partner with Lutheran Services Florida which has two programs in Pinellas County that protect children at risk of neglect and abuse right in our backyards:
- Case Management Organization (for children in foster care)
- Connecting Family Paths Diversion Program (for families who are on the verge of losing custody of their children and working to find a healthy path and avoid losing custody)
Children should never be affected by an adult’s wrong choices, but unfortunately, they are often the most vulnerable. Can we join together to provide new school supplies for them? This will be a great blessing for these kids to walk confidently into their new school year with excitement and joy.
Our Back-to-School Drive will kick off on Sunday, July 7. There will be collection bins at the entrances where you may donate:
- Backpacks
- Washable Markers / Crayons
- Colored Pencils
- #2 Pencils / Erasers
- Pens / Highlighters
- Notebooks / Folders
- 1.5” Binders & Lined Paper
- Glue Sticks / Elmers Glue
- Tissues / Paper Towels
- Hand Sanitizer
- Folders
- Monetary donations can also be made online
On August 4, we will be having a blessing over the items collected, with prayers that the children will have a successful and joyful year.
For more information, please reach out to Sallie ONeill within the church or Tina Villanueva at Lutheran Services of Florida. Tina’s contact information is: tina.villanueva@LSFNET.org or 813-690-5642.
Thank you in advance for your support for this donation drive. Last year, this was a great success and LSF programs were very eager to get the school supplies into the hands of children who needed it right away. You are a blessing!
