Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry (Outreach) is pleased to announce a grant award from the Polk County Community Foundation for seasonal clothing assistance for school children.

The grant funds will be used during the winter of 2014 to help schoolchildren who do not have appropriate apparel for the colder winter months ahead.

“Many of us take it for granted that we’ll have a winter coat or a slicker and boots for a cold rainy day,” said Carol Newton, Outreach’s executive director. “What we’ve found working in partnership with Polk County schools is that there are many children in our community who do not have such basic items.”

Outreach’s Client Service Manager Michelle Reedy said with an increase in clients Outreach experienced this fall, the organization knows the funds from this grant will be much needed.

“We are very fortunate that we’ll be able to relieve families from making some tough choices about whether to buy their children clothing or to buy food or pay a power bill,” Reedy said.

Outreach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1991.

The organization’s mission is to provide compassionate assistance to Polk County residents who are unable to provide for their basic life needs.

For more information on Outreach, please visit www.tboutreach.org or call 828-894-2988.

– article submitted by Wendy Thomas