| The Ledger
LAKELAND – With the Polk County unemployment rate for December at 6.7% — more than double the 3.1% unemployment rate reported in December 2019 — Upper Room Church of God Bishop James Andrews knows people are hurting.
So Andrews reached out to the Church of God international headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee, to see if they could help, and they are sending down two tractor-trailers filled with school supplies, children’s clothes and non-perishable food.
“This is a way for us to try to mend or begin a dialogue and conversation by helping those within our community,” Andrews said.
The giveaway will be first come, first served on Saturday at the church at 1430 Lotela Avenue in Lakeland.
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Andrews said it is also the church’s way of trying to reach across a widening racial divide – the main church is predominantly white, while the Lakeland church is mainly Black.
“I really do hope that our community is going to be blessed and touched by this,” Andrews said. “It’s a collaborative effort to reach our community.”
Students from Southeastern University will unload the trucks on Friday, with distribution set to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday.
“Anyone is welcome,” Andrews said.
Masks will be required and will be provided if someone doesn’t have their own.
Ledger reporter Kimberly C. Moore can be reached at [email protected] or 863-802-7514. Follow her on Twitter at @KMooreTheLedger.
IF YOU GO
Food, clothing and school supply giveaway
Saturday, Feb. 6, 10 a.m. until supplies are gone
Upper Room Church of God
1430 Lotela Avenue in Lakeland
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