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LOCAL CHURCH DIRECTORY
INSIDE ... Vol. 26 | Iss. 11 | NOV 2022
DUFFELS OF DIGNITY PROGRAM HELPS AT-RISK YOUTH Staff Report
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Columns: Grace Notes: Hooked On Books: Faith & Footprints: News From The Wire:
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Hillsborough County Children’s al care items and provide them to Services launched its Duffels of at-risk youth and children in foster Dignity program on October 10. care. These kids have gone through The program will collect donations so much, and the trauma they have of new or gently used duffel bags, experienced is severe. It’s importsuitcases and personal care items ant that they get something of for children in foster care or who their very own and know they are are escaping domestic violence and loved. Arriving at a new home with homelessness. their own duffel bag or suitcase Hillsborough County Children’s helps provide them with a little Services assists many local chilsense of dignity during one of the dren who are in traumatic situamost difficult times in their young tions, facing homelessness or in lives”, said Craig Jewesak, adminneed of emergency shelter. Often, istrative services coordinator with these children do not have proper Hillsborough County Children’s Serluggage to store their belongings vices. Each bag will have a special and instead use garbage bags to label with their name on it as well. carry their few personal items. A backpack with the name tag that will also go on each Donations can be dropped off bag for the recipients. Foster care youth in HillsMonday through Friday, borough County face sim9 a.m.-5 p.m., at Hillsilar needs. To help these borough County Chilchildren and offer them dren’s Services Adminisa bit of courage and digtrative Office, located at nity, Children’s Services 3191 Clay Mangum Ln. in has launched its Duffels Tampa. of Dignity program and is There will be signs dinow accepting donations. recting people to the Donations accepted in‘Duffels of Dignity DropDuffels of Dignity also has an Amclude: azon Wish List, which is linked at off Location.’ New or gently used duffel bags Children’s Services has also partwww.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/ (24-28 inches), suitcases (wheelie residents/social-services/children/ nered with local nonprofits Mary bags, suitcases with handles) and duffels-of-dignity. Items ordered & Martha House and The Spring backpacks are all accepted. from the wish list will be mailed of Tampa Bay, which help women Personal care items. directly to the Children’s Services and their children escape domesToothbrushes and toothpaste. tic violence, by providing luggage campus. Combs and brushes. “The idea was to create a program to residents in their programs. For Shampoo and conditioner. that Hillsborough County Children’s more information on Hillsborough Deodorant. Services would do a year-round County Children’s Services’ Duffels All personal care items should be collection of new and gently used of Dignity program, visit www.hcflnew and in their original packaging. luggage, duffel bags and person- gov.net/duffelsofdignity.
THANKSGIVING BASKETS THAT WILL BLESS LOCAL FAMILIES
By Kelly Wise Valdes
On Thanksgiving Day, many of us are focused on how to cook the turkey just right and perfecting the stuffing recipe, sweet potato casserole, green beans and pumpkin pie. But amidst the food and family frenzy, it’s easy to forget the holiday is about giving thanks for our many blessings. As the holiday season nears, many families in SE Hillsborough County continue to face many economic challenges. To be a blessing to the community, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is providing 100 local families with Thanksgiving baskets full of all the ingredients needed to make an amazing holiday The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day meal. The reusable laundry baskets will be filled Saints is asking for volunteers in the community to donate food toward Thanksgiving through individual donations and assembled by baskets for families in need. volunteers. The project, in its 10th year, takes The church works with guidplace on Saturday, November 19 at 8:30 a.m. at the ance counselors from local church, located at 4806 Bell Shoals Rd. in Valrico. schools in Riverview, Ruskin, Coordinator Michelle Caceres loves this yearWimauma, Plant City, Lithia, Brandon, Valrico and ly mission. “A shortage of turkeys and the higher Gibsonton, who best know which families need the food prices associated with inflation means we extra help this holiday season. need our community’s assistance,” said Caceres. “For me, the best part of the service project is “We need families to come help assemble baskets delivering the basket to families and seeing the but also deliver them.”
smiles on children’s faces when they see the food,” said Caceres. “Jesus Christ set the standard by feeding the hungry, and we are trying to emulate His perfect example.” The church is asking members of the community to come together and assist with this project to benefit local families. The laundry baskets are filled with turkeys, stuffing, sweet potatoes, corn, green beans, cake mix and frosting, butter, pumpkin-pie filling, pie crusts and more. A sign-up genius has been created. If you are interested in donating food or volunteering for assembling or delivering, visit www.signupgenius.com/ go/9040D44A8AB2EA64-lithia1 or contact Caceres at 813-5978150. “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” — 2 Corinthians 9:11.