Imagine you are a child and have to sleep on the floor because there is no furniture. Sometimes there is no running water or  electricity. Your parent(s) are so disinterested that they don’t get you up to go to school. You get yourself up and your brothers and sisters. You are usually late and inappropriately dressed. You don’t have soap, toothpaste or a toothbrush. You are one of 95% who qualify for a free lunch. You get breakfast and lunch at school. On the weekend you are given a package of food but when you walk  home some big kids or adults steal it from you at the corner hangout. You can’t wait to get back to school on Monday to eat. This is the life of some of the children at Rosa Parks Elementary School.

After meeting with the social worker at the school, the FCC Outreach  Ministry Team has decided to collect items for these children this summer so they will have supplies when the new school year starts. All items will be given directly to Rosa Parks Elementary.

Next Sunday, June 16, we will be collecting hygiene products. Needed are: toothpaste, toothbrushes (kids & adults sizes), bath soap, shampoo & conditioner, deodorant, hand sanitizer, Kleenex and disinfecting wipes. Also needed are laundry detergent and dish soap which the social worker takes with her when she makes home visits.

On July 21 we will be collecting school supplies. Needed are #2 pencils, pencil boxes, 1” 3‐ring binders, filler paper, scissors (safety and pointed), backpacks ( not tote bags), glue sticks, crayons, zip‐lock bags (sandwich/quart sizes), hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes.

On August 18 we will be collecting new underwear, socks and sweat pants. We are also collecting gently used school clothes and coats for children in pre‐school through 5th grade. Please place the clothing in the wooden food pantry box. Let’s make a difference in the lives of these children!