"font-size: 14.0pt; font-family:">ORANGE BEACH, Ala. -- Peace

Lutheran Church recently received a $5,000 Lutheran Community

Economic Outreach Bridge Grant from the Thrivent Financial for

Lutherans Foundation.

"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The funding

was awarded to the church based on its mission, financial

stability, effectiveness in addressing basic needs such as food,

clothing or shelter, use of volunteers and creativity.

"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The award was

for the Peace School Uniform and School Supply Program, which

provides free school uniforms and school supplies to students in

Baldwin County. The program has given uniforms and supplies to more

than 5,000 children and youth in the past three years.

"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Uniforms and

school supplies are available year round at the church at 8250

Roscoe Road, just off the Foley Beach Express.

"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Peace was one

of 81 Lutheran organizations and congregations selected to receive

funding as part of the final phase of this pilot program.

Organizations receiving the grant are also eligible to participate

in an additional $10,000 challenge grant in which funds raised by

the organization would be matched by the Thrivent Financial for

Lutherans Foundation dollar for dollar.

"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">To date, the

Economic Outreach Bridge Grant pilot has provided support to 217

ministries resulting in approximately $2.9 million dollars in

grants and funds raised.

"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Peace will

apply for the challenge grant based on local

contributions.

"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Contributions

of money, new or used school uniforms and new school supplies are

welcome. Anyone wishing to contribute should bring uniforms and

supplies to the church Administration Building in back of the

church. Checks should be made to Peace Lutheran Church and

designated for the School Uniform Program. Checks may be mailed to

the church at 8250 Roscoe Road, Gulf Shores, AL 36542.

"font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">“Difficult

economic conditions and high unemployment rates have caused many

Americans to seek support for basic needs such as food, clothing

and shelter from local nonprofits,” said Kathy Larson, grants

program manager for the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Foundation. “This grant pilot was designed to help effective

organizations maintain their financial stability in the face of

increased demand on their resources.

"font-size: 14pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">”

"font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Founded in

1982, the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation is a private

foundation that operates exclusively for charitable, educational

and religious purposes. It supports the health and vitality of the

Lutheran community, the Fox Cities of Wisconsin and the Twin Cities

of Minnesota. Grants are provided for projects and missions that

reflect Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

"font-size: 14pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">’

"font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">charitable

interests.

"font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> The

primary charitable interest of the foundation is assisting

nonprofit organizations and those they serve in achieving economic

security and sustainability. To learn more about the foundation and

its programs, visit:

"text-decoration: underline;">

"font-size: 14.0pt; font-family:">

"http://www.thrivent.com/foundations">www.thrivent.com/foundations.

"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">For more

information or directions to the church, call 251-974-2545 or visit

the church web site at peacelutheranal.org.