by Stacey Norris
Thank you! We have just completed our Multiply 2025 Campaign, our fundraising and faith journey this summer for Bridging the Gap, our nonprofit serving our community through the Backpack Program and the Inspiring Hope Learning Center. In you allowing God to work through you, God multiplied what you had and were willing to use for His glory. We saw $12,017.67 come in during that time. We also had donations from church partners as well as goods and supplies donated.
It was truly a fun summer to watch God at work through you.
I have learned much this summer through the events and activities that were part of our Multiply 2025 campaign. I have been humbled by the generosity I have been able to experience. I watched as people not only gave money to help support Bridging the Gap, but I also saw sacrificial giving of time and talent. There were many Saturdays given to yard sales, bike rides, mowing and physical workouts. I heard people explain to friends and coworkers about what BTG does and ask if they would be willing to give to a cause that is bigger than any one person. We met some new people and because of the generosity and sacrifices people made more people will get to experience a loving God through the very practical avenues of weekly food distributions, relationship building and education.
We began the 2025/2026 school year for Inspiring Hope Learning Center last week. There are 33 students on our roster, including our middle and high school students which are not always on site with us. There have been over 26 students on site, and it is a really good group with some new ones who have already added so much. We have met some new parents as well who seem to be very pleased with what they are seeing for their childrens. With all these students, we have had to send multiple vehicles to pick them up at school each day. This is a good problem to have, and it has been a great start. We have already seen God working through local partnerships to provide for our students.
For the Backpack Program, our first packing event and distribution are happening even as you read this. We are beginning this year with 140 students receiving food each weekend. This is the largest start we have ever had.
We are looking forward to a great year with both programs and excited to see how God works in both the IHLC and Backpack programs.
I want to thank you all for helping make Multiply 2025 such a success, not just monetarily, but also in helping to create God moments.
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9 (NLT)