Methodist women distribute $95,000 from Strawberry Festival … that’s a lotta berries!
The United Methodist Women of Boca Grande 2022 Strawberry Festival will be distributing $95,000 to local charities and to an organization that is providing funds to benefit the peoples of the Ukraine, it was announced today.
“This was an amazing year for us in terms of community support, fellowship and the money raised to help women and children in need,” said Jan Myers, one of the festival’s co-chairs. “Our thanks goes out to all the people involved including participants, volunteers, donors and sponsors. We are so grateful.”
The UMW Board voted to distribute the monies raised to six organizations:
• The Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies (CARE), which helps victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other violent crimes in Charlotte County.
• The Charlotte County Homeless Coalition. What started as a “feeding ministry” is now a food distribution site for more than 80 households a week and hot meals 365 days of the year. The Coalition’s direct services include an emergency shelter, homeless prevention services and hunger prevention services.
• Englewood Helping Hand, which maintains a large, well-stocked pantry on its premises. Food and personal supplies are immediately available for Englewood families and individuals in need. Applicants are given one-week supply of food during their initial visit along with referral to the local food stamp office for ongoing assistance.
• Kids Needs of Englewood, which collects donations from Englewood, Rotonda, Boca Grande and Placida and distributes them to local families in need. The organization’s hope is that through this kindness, of neighbors helping neighbors, they can encourage kids to stay in school and out of harm’s way.
• Project Hope and its relief effort in the Ukraine. Project Hope is an international organization that works on the front lines of the world’s most urgent health challenges, partnering with communities, health care workers and public health systems to ensure sustainable change.
• Young Life of Englewood. Young Life is a Christian ministry that reaches out to middle school, high school and college students in all 50 of the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world.
