NOBLESVILLE, Ind. - Aug. 4, 2020 - The Grace Care Center will deliver more than 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies and new pairs of shoes to vulnerable families in Hamilton and Northern Marion counties August 3-5. Grace Church members bought 1,400 school backpacks filled with school supplies and the church also purchased 1,000 pairs of new shoes to meet community needs. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Grace Care Center, a ministry of Grace Church, has been delivering groceries directly to an average of 900 families each week through their innovative on-line Choice Food Pantry. The backpacks and shoes will be delivered to homes this week, along with their weekly grocery orders.
Grace Church normally holds a Community Fair in July to help get families ready for the school year. Last year 3,500 people attended. Since the event was cancelled due to COVID-19, volunteers will deliver school items and shoes on Monday night, Tuesday night, and Wednesday afternoon.
"We're deeply concerned for the children and youth in our community," said Nick Pease, Director of the Grace Care Center. "We love our community and want to see our children and youth thrive. We know this will be a challenging school year for teachers, students, and parents alike. We want to help in any way we can to bring support and care to families, to make sure they know they are not alone."
Since March, the Grace Care Center has served 15,000 families and distributed $700,000 worth of groceries, while enabling families to select items that best meet their needs. The pantry has continued to be a 100% choice pantry throughout the pandemic. This allows families to retain the dignity and value that comes with choosing the food and hygiene items they need the most. Families are invited to place on-line orders which are then filled and delivered by volunteers to the family's doorstep. Items include fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen meats, dairy, cleaning supplies, personal health items, bakery, and most other normal grocery items.
In July 2012, the Grace Care Center opened with the purpose of providing care and compassion to the families struggling within the local community. Prior to the COVID crisis, the Grace Care Center had grown to serve more than 600 families (2,100 individuals) per week. The GCC Foundation raised $750,000 to underwrite expansion costs for the new Grace Care Center that opened in January 2020.
About Grace Church
Grace Church is a non-denominational Christian church based in Indianapolis, Indiana and led by Pastor Barry Rodriguez. More information about Grace Church in Indianapolis can be found on their website www.gracechurch.us.
About GCC Foundation
The GCC Foundation exists to instill hope, dignity and sustainable change for all people while transforming the lives of those who give and serve. GCC Foundation was created to raise support to expand facilities to maximize efficiencies of the Grace Care Center without compromising relationships or impact of programs. More information about the GCC Foundation in Noblesville can be found on their website www.gccfoundation.us.
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Wes Adkins
