Forney Community Ministries Holds Gently Used School Uniform Drive

Spring time and spring cleaning tend to go hand and hand. It is “that time of year” when many parents have their children clean out their closets and organize for the next season! The same goes for Forney ISD’s Uniform Assistance Program, currently housed at the Forney Academic Center, (FAC). The school uniforms needed to be relocated to make way for the upcoming FAC remodel that, beginning with the fall 2018, will accommodate the District’s new Early Childhood Center.

The demand for relocating the uniforms provided an opportunity for a new organization to be launched. Since 2010, the District has partnered with First Presbyterian Church of Forney through their Blessings & Backpacks ministry. Students faced with economically challenging situations were provided with a backpack supplied with uniforms, supplies, and food assistance. In order to assume responsibility for the uniform storage and distribution from Forney ISD, Rev. David Ivie, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Mike and Amanda Lewis of Water of Life Lutheran Church and Marian Stewart of Sharing the Love Foundation have formed a new cooperative network called Forney Community Ministries. It will now handle school uniforms as well as expand Water of Life’s hunger relief program.

In April of this year, Forney ISD students in the Forney ISD Synergy Leadership Program and the Forney Community Ministries packed and moved the uniforms to a temporary holding location. Forney Communities Ministries plans to open a resource distribution center by July 2018. To help provide additional uniform inventory, Forney ISD will held a School Uniform Drive May 21-25. Gently used uniforms, (no holes, tears or stains) could be donated by parents and students at any Forney school office.

Establishing a positive relationship between Forney ISD and our community plays a crucial role in the ongoing quest for student success. Forney Community Ministries will provide a community network where organizations can come together to work collaboratively to provide for the needs of Forney ISD students and the community. Celebrating a major success or tackling difficult issues for students can be shared with all aspects of the community in many ways. Together we can all work for the betterment of our future and prove we all have our students’ best interests at heart.

If you would like additional information on how to be part of or support the Forney Community Ministries you may email forneycommunity@mail.com, visit their website at www.forneycommunity.org or join their Facebook page.