STE. GENEVIEVE – The Ste. Genevieve R-II School District thanks all local donors of the Backpacks for Friday program, an initiative that provides basic food staples to 50 needy families!
According to a news release from the school district, Ste. Genevieve R-II partners with the Southeast Missouri Food Bank to organize the program, which is funded through donations from community organizations, local businesses and residents. These donations are a vital contribution, as these partnerships assist us in the fight against hunger here in our community.
The distirict noted that funds are raised a year in advance. For the 2022-2023 school year, one backpack is equal to $350. This provides one student with 36 weeks of healthy, nutritious food to take home. This year, 21 backpacks were placed at Bloomsdale Elementary, which has an enrollment of 301 students, and 34 backpacks were placed at Ste. Genevieve Elementary, which has an enrollment of 526 students.
Ste. Genevieve County R-II shares a heartfelt thank you to the following donors: Adopt-A-Family, American Legion Post 150, Mrs. Denise Bader, Basler Funeral Home, Ms. Elaine Belovich, Beta Rho, Bloomsdale Bank, Bloomsdale Excavating, CE Contracting, Inc., Citizens Electric, Mrs. Michelle Dallas, Don Heil Oil Company, Mr. & Mrs. Tom & Kathy Donze, Mrs. Kathy Eisenbeis, Equipment Pro Inc, Ernest Weiler LLC, Flieg’s Equipment Inc., Mrs. Jessica Harlow, Holcim, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Keim, Kozy Kitchen/Dew Drop Inn, L.J. Hart & Company, L’Hoist North America, Mr. & Mrs. Bobby & Rebecca Latempt, Lions Club of Ste. Genevieve, Ms. Donna Marler, Mississippi Lime, Missouri Association of FFA, MRV Bank, Plaza Tire Service, River Hills Thunderin’ Longbeards, Rotary Club of Ste. Genevieve, Mr. and Mrs. Rick Rudloff & Carol Steiger, SGE PTO, Mr. Richard & Mrs. Teresa Slough, Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital – Medical Staff, Ste. Genevieve NEA, Ste. Genevieve Vision Care, Ms. Dona Trautman, VFW Post 2210 Ste. Genevieve, the Weingarten Jaycees, the GFWC Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve, and the Zell Area Jaycees.
The school district shared a special thanks to: the counselors, Mrs. Jesika Greminger, Mrs. Amy Rowland and Mrs. Audra Kingery, who help to determine the number of backpacks needed at their buildings and who help coordinate the program; the students in the STARS program, as well as Mr. Jon Robinson, Mrs. Debbie Baker, and Mrs. Joann Grein, who help organize and transport the monthly shipments; and our Maintenance Department who help to coordinate delivery.
The news release went on to say that when students’ basic needs are met, they can focus on learning and growing into strong, productive, healthier citizens.
The district said individuals, organizations or businesses who would like to make a donation to the program, may make their tax deductible donation payable to “Ste. Genevieve School District R-II Foundation” with “Backpacks for Friday Program” noted on the memo line. Contributions can be mailed to:
Ste. Genevieve R-II School District
Attn: Lance McClard, Asst. Supt.
375 N. 5th Street
Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670