From Heather Little, founder of BackPack Pals, about recent financial problems at Communities in Schools of Lee County (BPP is run under the umbrella of CIS, though it gets all its support from the community and volunteers).

Dear Supporters of BPP,

Hope you all are looking forward to a safe and Happy 4th! As some of you probably read this morning in the Sanford Herald, Communities in Schools announced they have reduced staff as of July 1.                  Unfortunately, with the economy CIS has suffered financially.
I would like all of you to know that BackPack Pals has thrived during our first year.  As a program of CIS, we will not be affected by these recent changes. The money that comes into our program goes to purchase food or the occasional book bag, none of our program money goes into providing for CIS expenses.
We have a strong year behind us, and I know we will continue to grow and flourish in the upcoming school year. We will still be counting on our community, that’s you, to help accomplish this. That means we will still be in need of you to volunteer, to donate food items and to donate monetarily if you can.
Please continue to pray, not just for BackPack Pals, but also for Communities in Schools. God has done so many wonderful things for us, and I know that a little thing like the economy can’t stand in his way! If you have any questions or comments please feel free to email me or call.  Thanks again for your continued support.

Heather Little