- April 25, 2024
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Sam Velazquez, Kamrin Bunn and Daniel Thomas, lead the procession around the track in representation of the Flagler County Youth Center. Photos by Anastasia Pagello
Emily Mazesky claps along with the music and gets ready to make a loop around the track.
Flagler Sheriff's PAL members Nadia Hattani, Dakota Snowden, Jasmin Hattani, Bernice Jones and Alexis Holtz with their Assistant Director Lauren Bennett.
Rita Stella, Marc Morgan and Ashley Seefried
Blythe Stanley helps the Master of Ceremonies, Dottie Colletta , sing the National Anthem.
Dozens of community members came in support of ending hunger in Flagler County.
Walkers made their way around the track at the Flagler Palm Coast High School, to show their support for ending hunger in Flagler County. Proceeds of the event went to support the Grace Community Food Pantry and the Fed by Grace Backpack Program.
“‘At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we received, how much money we have made or how many great things we have done. We will be judged by: I was hungry and you fed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.’”
MOTHER TERESA, shared by Lynette Shott
The event began with an opening prayer by Pastor Charlie Silano, of the Grace Community Church.
“This is our first annual walk to create awareness for the homeless children in Flagler County,” Pastor Silano said. “When the economy tanked the number of homeless kids and people in need started growing. Only a few years ago the program supported 30 people, now the Flagler County School System has identified over 600 kids considered to be homeless in this county.”
The Fed by Grace Backpack Program was officially started in 2013. Volunteers bring on average 80, 10-pound bags of food every Wednesday to five public schools in Flagler County. Each visit also includes three banana boxes full of cereal, each box containing about 65 servings.
“As soon as the students are registered in the Flagler County School System they will be recognized right away as homeless and enrollment in the program will be offered,” said Pamela Jackson, of Families in Transition. “The food given to them every week should last them and their families through the weekend.”
Before walkers started around the high school’s track Lynette Shott shared a touching quote by Mother Teresa.
“I want to share this quote, because I feel it really sums up why this organization exists to support our communities families. ‘At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we received, how much money we have made or how many great things we have done. We will be judged by: I was hungry and you fed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.’ And that is the spirit of everyone here today.”
Supporters arrived with canned food donations and walked the track for the majority of the afternoon.
Shelf-stable products and canned food donations are always being accepted at the Grace Community Church, located at 245 Education Way. For more information about the Fed by Grace Backpack Program visit the guidance counsellors at the public school near you.
