B.A.M receives grant from Walmart

Money used to purchase supplies for students and teachers

Posted

Each year, B.A.M. (Backpack Assist Ministry) provides White County students with much needed school supplies as they partner with teachers, schools, and families to help students achieve success. However, those supplies come at a cost, and recently Walmart made a donation to help cover some of those costs.

Carleen Benson, B.A.M.’s organizer, said that one morning she felt she was being led to call Walmart to ask about the possibility of receiving a grant.

“I heard that little voice that tells you to do things, but it was definitely not in my plans for the day,” Benson said. “I just answered the voice with a ‘no, I’m drinking my coffee.’ Twice more I felt led to call. The first time, I told myself, ‘Not now, I’m in my comfort zone,’ but, the third time, I finally followed that thought and made the call, and, as always, God supplies.”

Walmart answered Benson’s call and responded by awarding B.A.M. with a $1,500 grant on Sept. 12, 2020, which Benson used to purchase school supplies in an effort to continue to provide White County teachers and students with supplies they will need both this year and next.

“We are hoping in the next few months to do something a little different for the teachers of White County,” she explained. “Plans are being made for a day set aside for our teachers to come and fill a bag of supplies for their needs and their students. Most of our teachers buy supplies for their students out of their own pockets, and if we can absorb some of that cost for them and provide supplies- it’s a win for everyone.”

Benson gives credit for the success of B.A.M. to the entire Upper Cumberland community saying that donations come in all year long from individuals, businesses, organizations, and churches from both White and surrounding counties.

“We have one business leader that donates every year in memory of her own childhood,” Benson said. “She said she was a child who looked forward to receiving a new backpack full of supplies each year. She knows firsthand what a difference it can make and how it can lead to a child’s success.”

“It is all of us working together to make a difference in someone’s life,” Benson said of the B.A.M. program and offered a word of thanks to the businesses, churches, volunteers, teachers and government officials who give of their resources and time each year. “A small act of kindness goes a long way, and our White County residents and those around the whole Upper Cumberland have a great way of showing it.”

She said that while monetary donations to B.A.M.) can be made at One Bank (Bank of White County), on Bockman Way, she also has businesses that want to donate school supplies directly to the program, and she is happy to accept these items and will even pick them up herself.

“White County has a big heart,” she said. “When we see a need, we jump in and fill it. We give and we give. I am proud to work with so many great people.”    

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here