Through August 31, 2022, Acts 4 Ministry, Inc. in Waterbury will welcome donations for their annual Back-to-School “Swap and Shop” of school uniform tops and bottoms, school supplies, and accessories, that will be distributed free or at low costs to low-income children of all ages throughout Greater Waterbury. Photographed during the 2021 Acts 4 Ministry Back-to-School event was Brianna Hernandez, then aged 9, reading while her family members shopped for school clothes and supplies.
Photographed during the 2021 Acts 4 Ministry "Swap and Shop" was Brianna Hernandez of Waterbury, then age 9, reading while her family shopped for school clothes, supplies and accessories.
The non-profit non-denominational Acts 4 Ministry 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 boy’s bottoms in size 5, boy’s tops in sizes 8, 14, 16, and 18, and girl’s tops in sizes 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 16, and 18. Accessories needed include book bags and lunch bags.
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.
“The 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.”
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 Wednesday, August 31, 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”.
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.