Metropolitan Ministries threw a back-to-school party on Friday. Families in need got school supplies. The group handed out backpacks, uniforms, and shoes to over 100 families who live on its Tampa campus.
Nicole Boone serves as Vice President of Education at Metropolitan Ministries. She said the group also hosted similar events in Pinellas and Pasco counties, made possible through donations from companies and individuals.
Jessica Davis said the group has given her a place to stay after she lost her job, lost her car, and faced eviction during a divorce. Her daughter received free supplies at the event.
“It’s been hard. I’m going through a divorce and got evicted, lost my job, lost my car. This was the only place, other than I was staying on the couch with a friend, and it was hard because she had kids too,” Davis said, according to Tampa Bay 28.
Davis just finished school. She has no income. Buying supplies for her daughter is impossible. “I have nothing for her right now. I mean, I just finished school. I don’t have a job. I have no way to pay for anything. I mean, this is everything,” she said.
“I don’t know where I’d be right now if we didn’t have the help from them,” Davis added.
Kids at the event munched on cotton candy and slurped snow cones while picking up their school items. Boone said getting new supplies matters when you’re heading back to class.
“It’s a special moment because you don’t want to go back to school with last year’s stuff, so you’re excited when you have what everybody else has,” Boone said.
More than 100 families live on the Tampa campus right now. The back-to-school party aimed to help them get ready for the school year without worrying about money.