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Parker Street Ministries Blog
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. – Psalm 136
Staff Spotlight – Sarah Breed
Sarah Breed, Director of Development & Communications, has been a part of the PSM family since 2021. She’s a Fort Meade, FL, native, but has lived in Lakeland with her husband, Josh, since 2012. Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in English and an MBA from...
Tobacco Free Polk Demonstrates Dangers of Tobacco
Tobacco Free Polk visited with some 8th grade and high school students to demonstrate the dangers of tobacco use. They brought engaging visuals, like lung replicas and jars showing the effects of tar and phlegm, to illustrate the impact on the body. The presentation...
Pancake Festival 2025
It’s all about the flip! Do good while enjoying pancakes, sausage, and the unique atmosphere of Flipping for Charities, the Annual Kiwanis Pancake Festival—a Lakeland community tradition. Citrus Center Kiwanis organizes the effort that now benefits many local...
Christmas Store 2024 Recap
The Annual Neighborhood Christmas Store is such an exciting time on the Parker Street Ministries campus! Thanks to the generosity of this amazing community, families from two low-income neighborhoods were blessed! In case you didn’t know, Parker Street Ministries’...
Giving Through the 2024 Christmas Store
It’s Neighborhood Christmas Store season! In December, Parker Street Ministries (PSM) hosts a fully functioning store for several days. The organization receives brand new toys and funds to purchase gifts from many individuals and groups. Toys are discounted 75% and...
Staff Spotlight – Meet Laura
Born and raised in Mulberry, Laura Bautista has been a classroom leader at Parker Street Ministries since the spring of 2023. Laura works with the fourth and fifth graders and is currently pursuing a degree in elementary education from Polk State College. Earlier this...
New Staff Spotlight – Meet Joy
Meet Joy Williams: Volunteer & Neighborhood Events Coordinator! New to Lakeland and the Parker Street neighborhood, Joy was born and raised in Rhode Island. “My father and stepmother are in my hometown where they pastor one church and oversee 60+ others,” Joy...
New Staff Spotlight – Meet Katie
Meet Katie McMullen: Program Support for the Academic Enrichment Program! Katie was born and raised right here in Lakeland. She has primarily worked in the childcare field, particularly in a preschool setting, for more than 17 years. In between these childcare roles,...
Record Number of Students Start Smart
Thanks to the faithful donors who assisted in the Start Smart Education Essentials campaign! Because of you (as of August 16), a record 168 kids started school prepared (97 in Pre-K through fifth grade; 40 middle schoolers; and 31 high schoolers/young adults). In...
Summer Camp 2024!
This summer, 106 youth in K-8 participated in Summer Camp! Campers in K-8 were offered: 40 Summer Camp days Breakfast, lunch, and one snack per day 64 academic hours consisting of reading, writing, math, and more At least 1 hour of physical activity outside and in the...