Some families received a helping hand getting much-needed school supplies thanks to a nonprofit. HOPE Helps hosted its 14th annual Kids of HOPE Back to School Bash on Saturday, Aug. 6.
Need for School Supplies
In a report with Click Orlando, the event took place at First Church of Oviedo. Families who pre-registered got to fill their backpacks with school supplies. They also received new underwear and hygiene kits.
Many who received the free school supplies struggled to make ends meet. They expressed their gratitude for the nonprofit and its church partner.
Lisa Isaac is one of those who arrived at the church's gym to pick out school supplies. She brought along her two children.
Isaac expressed her gratitude for the free things they received. She explained that she could not afford to spend money on school supplies with her income.
She said events like these are a great help for those struggling to get by on a dollar.
Helping Homeless
CEO Joan Faulkner explained that their mission as a nonprofit has always been helping the homeless. She noted that more families are struggling to put food on the table thanks to the record high inflation.
Faulkner added that the nonprofit hopes to help struggling families by providing free school supplies. She said that there are over 300 children who need their help every year.
She pointed out that it has been a struggle for many families to buy groceries and pay rent. Faulkner said buying school supplies was only another expense for them to worry about.
Blessing for Struggling Families
Faulkner added that these school supplies brought a sense of relief to families who struggled to stretch a dollar. She was grateful for the chance to be able to help.
For people like Isaac, the school supplies are more than a sense of relief. Nonprofits like HOPE Helps lift some of the burdens they carry every day.
She told the news outlet that HOPE Helps was a blessing for struggling individuals like herself.
HOPE Helps
According to the nonprofit's website, its mission is to prevent homelessness in Central Florida.
The charitable organization accomplishes this by giving individuals and families the tools to become self-sufficient. HOPE stands for Housing, Outreach, Prevention, and Education.
According to the website, the nonprofit originated when a homeless couple approached Krissy Todd in 2006.
Todd said the woman was pregnant and in need of help. After talking to the couple, Todd learned that both lost their jobs and were down on their luck.
She also learned that the couple lost their car and personal possessions. Both were now living on the streets.
The Todd family did what they could to help the couple. They were soon placed in a temporary living facility and were given clothing, food, and necessities.
The couple was soon able to have job interviews. They were soon hired and got back on their feet.
The Todd family learned that many families were out there like this homeless couple in need. They decided that Seminole County needed hope and were there to provide it.
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