The Blessing Bag Ministry, founded by St. Simon’s Episcopal Church and Okaloosa County Schools, recently received a $10,000 grant through the Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation. This funding enables the continued distribution of 800 more hygiene bags, bringing the total to over 2,500 since 2022, and supports the purchase of 200 lice treatment kits for student health.
"We are thrilled to partner with the Blessing Bag Ministry to support their mission of providing critical hygiene essentials to students in need," said Hong Potomski, Northwest Florida Market Leader for Florida Blue. "We know that students can’t focus on learning until their basic needs are met. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to improving the health and well-being of kids in Okaloosa County, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the hundreds of students and families served by this ministry."
Since 2022, Blessing Bag Ministry has distributed over 1,700 bags containing essentials such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, and hairbrushes to students in Okaloosa County. With these 800 new bags, the ministry expands its support.
“The Blessing Bag Ministry continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students by ensuring their most basic needs are met,” said John Spolski, Executive Director of the Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation. “We are grateful for the partnership with Florida Blue Foundation and the generosity of all those involved. The delivery of these 800 additional bags will help us reach even more students with dignity and care, supporting their health, confidence, and ability to succeed in school.”
