Bags of Hope 2011
The annual drive for back packs and school supplies for students in East Carroll and Tensas
Parishes is sponsored by Together for Hope along with local merchants, churches,
individuals and a
number of churches around
Louisiana .
We had over 30 volunteers filling book bags and handing them out. On Friday night (July 29),
we stuffed 1200 book bags
in (only!) two hours using an assembly line method.
It was amazing to see the bags piling up at the end of the room as we filled them.
Thank you to all of the the volunteers who made the weekend work!
On Saturday morning, the students were able to visit with their teachers and
school administration as they signed up for a bag.
Then they were able to collect their book bags from volunteers from all over the state of Louisiana.
We had groups from Shreveport, Baton Rouge, Ruston and the New Orleans area
there to be a part of the Together for Hope ministry.
With their words, smiles and with their actions, these volunteers showed that
there are people outside of Lake Providence that care.
Education/literacy is a core issue in overcoming poverty. This event is about encouraging that. With hard work the middle school in Lake Providence showed the highest increase in LEAP scores this year in the state. Way to go!
Each student this year was again given a high interest reading book. Due to the generosity of many, approximately
300 book bags were also delivered to Tensas parish to accompany 100 that were donated there
from local sources, another sign of local leadership and caring.
An addition this year was a "Thank You" card that the students and parents signed. The card, which is a signing
mat, is now covered with names of those who felt the love of God through friends and strangers alike.
The local volunteers were there after working very hard to secure donations of money and school supplies
to ensure that the students felt that their community cared.
At right is a "group hug" from some of the youth
at Haynes Avenue Baptist Church in Shreveport who
spent the week on mission in Lake Providence.
This is what the heart of the mission is,
that the world feels the love of God in everything we do.
Thank you, everyone, for making that happen.
See report of Bags of Hope 2010.