A foundation that focuses on providing for the community has recently received quite a substantial amount of money for their dedication to the well being of the children of Starke County. Kid’s Closet Ministry was not only gifted a $2,000 grant through the Starke United Fund but recently was approved to receive $3,000 thanks to the kind submission of a community member who realized the importance of the foundation.
First Choice Insurance employee Carrie Block contacted the founder of of Kid’s Closet Ministry, Linda Lewandowski to ask her permission to apply for a grant through Safe-co’s “Make More Happen” program. Lewandowski provided all the necessary information and Block applied for the grant, which was approved. The organization receives an initial $3,000 however it doesn’t end there.
Lewandowski explained that citizens have a unique opportunity to help the foundation receive more grant money just by voting for Kid’s Closet Ministry online, “It will be done through the Safe-co website, where people can go in and vote for an additional three to ten thousand dollars once they get that up and running which is going to be pretty soon, I think by the end of July.”
The $3,000 from Safeco is going to be spent on purchasing shoes, socks, underwear and other various clothes items that aren’t currently in stock. The $2,000 from the Starke United Fund will be spent to purchase supplies and school bags for the Kid’s Closet Ministry annual ‘Pack-a-Backpack’ Event.
However, the grant can only provide so much. Lewandowski reported that last year about 250 children came through the doors of the fellowship hall at the North Judson Methodist Church during the event. This year they expect even more kids and families to attend. For this reason Kid’s Closet will be posted in front of the Dollar General stores in Knox and North Judson collecting additional school supplies on Saturday, July 11 from 8 am until 2 pm.
You have a chance to contribute to this event that helps children of the community go back to school prepared. Lewandowski stressed the importance of such an event, “I think it’s very important for children to go to school with all the right supplies that they need to learn and to grow in school. It give them self confidence, self esteem just to have all the right things that they need.”
You meet the criteria for this event if you qualify for free or reduced lunch or any other kind of financial aid. The Kid’s Closet Ministry Pack-a-Backpack event is scheduled to take place July 27th and 28th in the North Judson United Methodist Church fellowship hall. If you’re unsure about whether or not you can qualify or have any questions about Kid’s Closet Ministry contact Director Linda Lewandowski at 574-896-2611.
