Nobody likes to think of children in need – children who don’t have the basic things in life that so many of us take for granted – warm clothes when its cold, rain gear for wet, soggy days and clothes that fit properly during any type of weather.

A generous grant from the Polk County Community Foundation, however allowed Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry (Outreach) to outfit many of Polk County’s children in need during the winter of 2012 and into the spring of 2013.

“This is a wonderful program and I’m so grateful for all of the help that we could provide through this grant,” says Michelle Reedy, client services manager for Outreach, “I work directly with the teachers and guidance counselors at Polk County schools to identify what the children need. Thanks to this grant, Outreach is able to purchase clothing for the children.”