BABSON PARK, Fla. — In a place where no one leaves hungry, the Crooked Bass Grill and Tavern strives to ensure fewer children go without.

What You Need To Know

  • Every year the Crooked Bass Grill and Tavern collects Christmas gifts for students in need at Lake Wales High School

  • The restaurant displays names and wishlists of students for customers to choose from

  • The goal is to eventually create a housing program to help these students year-round

Every year, co-owner Tammy Bracewell hangs the names and wish lists of hundreds of SIT students on the restaurant’s Christmas tree. Her customers are then given the opportunity to choose a child to donate gifts to.

“What really warms my heart is helping the children and seeing that our customers embrace this,” she said. “We purchase things as well, but all of the gifts—I just put the tags on the tree, and our customers take them faster than I can put them up.”

Bracewell says she learns about the children’s wishes from Jane Lewis, who oversees the McKinney-Vento program at Lake Wales High School.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures students experiencing homelessness have the right to attend school without barriers.

“Systemwide, we have about 400 in the program, but here at the high school, it’s 124—living in a tent, living in a car, what we call couch surfing. They go from home to home,” Lewis said.

With the support of community partners like Bracewell, Lewis says she’s able to provide food, uniforms, and life-changing resources to students year-round. But Christmas is especially meaningful to her, as she’s often brought to tears by students’ reactions.

“Because, I mean, some of these kids—what they struggle with, what they go through—it’s just heartbreaking,” she said. “Some days, my days are so sad. So sad. But other days, I’m so filled up with these kids.”

Now that each kid has received a taste of holiday joy, Bracewell says there’s more to be done. The ultimate goal is to compile a list of donors willing to fund a transitional housing program.

“So they’re not leaving school and worrying about where they’re going to get their next meal and if they have a safe place to sleep tonight,” Bracewell said.

In the meantime, the tavern’s doors are open for a child in need, whether it’s for a warm meal or a gift under the tree.

To support Lake Wales High School’s McKinney-Vento program, call the front desk at 863-678-4222.