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Will There Be Enough?
El Cajon, California -- "Joshua", "Mike" and "Maria", 3 elementary-aged children were dreading the thought of going back to school. They had a good excuse. Their father had left the family and moved to Nashville without even saying, "Good-bye." Alone, their mother "Lisa" found meager employment putting much-needed food on the table and keeping a roof over their heads. There couldn't be new school clothes or supplies, or may be, just maybe?
A bright yellow and white striped tent greeted the winding line of more than 1,000 children and their parents. The smell of pizza floated throughout the air. Guests could see stacks of what looked like shoe boxes, backpacks and school supplies on tables underneath the tent. Representing very low-income households, they were more than ready for Operation Blessing's El Cajon outreach center's Back-To-School event at Memorial Park to begin!
The festive atmosphere temporarily brightened up the very low-income area surrounding the park. Operation Blessing's outreach center leader, Mary Martinez had her hands full during the day, but her job was made easier thanks to event partners like you, Pizza Hut, Teen Challenge, and Wal-Mart. Guests had a great time eating free individual pan pizzas, drinking sodas, trying on free new school shoes, and picking out a backpack filled with pencils and notebooks. Parents were already happy not only because their children were getting needed items and having fun, but also because an Operation Blessing Hunger Strike Force truck had delivered 33,000 pounds of free groceries the day before! Many of the guests and their neighbor's kitchens were full with food including cereal, beverages, pasta, yogurt, melons, potatoes, onions, rice, and beans.
"You look at these kids and know they need shoes and school supplies," Mary commented. "Some are from homeless families and the rest live in very low income households."
Wanting to make sure children like Joshua, Mike and Maria had several opportunities to receive the needed assistance, Mary Martinez coordinated two shopping days in addition to the big Back-To-School event last year. Working with thirty churches and local helping organizations more than 1,700 children were assisted in the San Diego area last fall!
That was last year. Now it's almost time for Mary and other volunteers all across the country to begin again! Right now tens of thousands of children in need are wondering, "will there be enough" for new school clothes, shoes or supplies. They are hoping they can go back to school prepared. Volunteers are ready to help too. Now all we need is you!
Please help us make their little dreams come true by donating $25, $50 or even $100 today!
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