Acts 4 Ministy Seeking Donations For Back-To-School Drive Thru Sept. 15

Donations of book bags and supplies, especially for girls, are being sought through September 15, 2023, by Acts 4 Ministry, Inc. for their 19^th annual Back-to-School “Swap and Shop”.

The annual drive seeks donations of school uniform tops and bottoms, supplies, and accessories, that will be distributed free or at low costs to low-income children of all ages throughout Greater Waterbury.

Photographed during Acts 4 Ministry’s 18^th annual 2022 Back To School “Swap and Shop” event were Waterbury resident Brayro Grandra and his son, Baron, age 7, as they shopped for school supplies and uniforms.

The non-profit non-denominational Acts 4 Ministry in Waterbury will welcome monetary donations plus new or gently worn uniform tops in white, black, gray, or any shade of blue, and bottoms in khaki, navy, black and gray. All sizes are needed, especially seeking girl’s tops and bottoms in size ranges 6-18 and boy’s bottoms in size 5, boy’s tops in sizes 8, 14, 16, and 18. Book bags and supplies for elementary and middle school-age children are needed.

Acts 4 Ministry is a collaborative group of a volunteer board of directors, staff members, and dozens of volunteers who desire to share God's love by meeting the comforting physical needs of others. They achieve this goal daily on many levels by collecting and distributing, free of charge to recipients, clothing, and housewares plus a free furniture distribution program. Families and individuals are frequently referred to Acts 4 Ministry by other charitable and social organizations to assist people who have suddenly lost their homes to a fire, flood, or other unexpected devastation or upsetting life event.

“This non-profit organization's vision,” explained Acts 4 Ministry Executive Director Sarah Elizabeth DiMeo-Carabetta, “is to build relationships with people with varying levels of needs while providing them with the basics of daily living while showing them the love of Christ through action. We strive to partner with churches, social service agencies, and public schools to help identify and serve people with these needs in the context of the broader community regardless of their faith, race, creed, national origin, or willingness to participate in religious activities.”

Located at 1713 Thomaston Avenue in Waterbury, the Acts 4 Ministry's building features a boutique environment where people with immediate needs can select clothing, personal hygiene products, and household items at no charge plus prepare for the delivery of their furniture with the ministry’s box truck and volunteer delivery teams.

Each year the organization serves over 2,000 families of varying income levels. Appointments are necessary and provide the individual or family in need with a discrete loving atmosphere. The Back-to-School Program is one of several Acts 4 Ministry’s ongoing programs to distribute resources to families throughout the area.

Through Friday, September 15^th, tax-deductible donations can be brought to the Acts 4 Ministry offices and boutique shop at their 1713 Thomaston Avenue location in Waterbury Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Acts 4 Ministry boutique shop is open to the public during those hours.

Monetary tax-deductible donations can be U.S. Mailed to Acts 4 Ministry, Inc., PO Box 4524, Waterbury, CT 06704 with a memo “Back to School drive”. Monetary donations can also be made at www.acts4.org, click Donate button, and choose “Back to School Drive” from the “Apply my gift to” list on the donation form.

To learn more about Acts 4 Ministry, Inc., and a listing of current tax-deductible donation needs, visit www.acts4.org, call 203-574-2287, or email info@acts4.org.