LaBelle back-to-school giveaway serves more than 200 children

LABELLE, Fla. — Hundreds of children packed a back-to-school giveaway in LaBelle as families picked up supplies ahead of the start of the school year.

Women of Truth Outreach Ministry hosted its 10th annual back-to-school event, providing backpacks, school supplies, shoes and other resources to families from Hendry, Lee and Glades counties.

Founder Erelisha Bell estimated more than 200 children attended, making it the organization’s largest giveaway yet. She said last year’s event served a little more than 100 children.

Bell started the drive in 2013 after remembering the help she received while raising three children as a young mother.

“Oh, it means more than the world to me,” Bell said. “It feels good seeing that you could be an impact to the community. It feels good knowing that you could be a helper of someone else. Because when I look at these young mothers and I look at these parents — listen, I was there, been there, done that.”

Bell said her grandmother and aunt helped her through difficult years and showed her the importance of having a community willing to step in.

“I know what it’s like to go through the struggle,” Bell said. “It’s hard growing up without stuff. You need every little help that you can get.”

Several community organizations and businesses partnered with Women of Truth for the event. Bell said the Slow Ground Foundation helped provide 250 backpacks, while Laces of Love supplied shoes. Local businesses also offered gift cards for haircuts and other services.

Bell said the event has grown significantly since its early days.

“I started out in 2013, off in Lehigh Acres, Florida, with a tent and a table,” Bell said.

Along with getting children ready for the classroom, Bell said she wants students to begin the year knowing they can ask for help and do not have to change themselves to fit in.

“It’s okay not to fit in,” Bell said. “You’re set aside for a reason.”

After seeing the turnout, Bell is already thinking about next year.

“I’m believing next year, I probably need a bigger building,” she said.