Your Family Promise committee has been busy the last few months bringing some holiday cheer and financial assistance to families and individuals experiencing homelessness with Family Promise of Gainesville and Grace Marketplace.

Here’s what we’ve been doing:

For Halloween, thirteen of our UCG Youth packed up 120 bags of Halloween candy and battery operated tea light candles so that 12 children could experience the fun of a Halloween candy hunt. We provided these bags to the grownups being served by Family Promise of Gainesville, asked them to click on the tea light candles within each bag, and hide ten bags for each kiddo. The children were each given a flashlight with a personalized note made by the UCG Youth, to assist in their hunt. Three newborn babies received sweet little Halloween board books. All grownups received a bag of Halloween candy because grownups need candy too! All UCG Youth received a candy filled goody bag as a thank you for providing such a beautiful service during this time of great need.

Our most recent Family Promise hosting began on November 1st. As the families remain off campus at rental properties and extended stay hotels during the pandemic, we provided 18 individuals with catered dinners from Dos Mamas every evening of the week. For the holidays, we donated two children’s bicycles to Family Promise of Gainesville, per their wish list. Finally, we have issued a payment to Grace Marketplace to cover the cost of an evening’s meal to all its guests. Our next Family Promise hostings are scheduled to begin January 24th and May 23rd and will remain off-campus.

Thank you so much for receiving this update and for the generosity that makes these important services possible.

Lisa Ingram & Dawn Beachy