Together we can empower underprivileged youth!

School vacation is almost over for the kids, and returning to the classroom should be an exciting time for them.

For those whose families struggle with paying rent and putting food on the table each month, however, that isn’t the case. These students will arrive with empty backpacks, if they even have one.

From Aug. 1-31, we will be collecting a variety of school supplies at our branches and donating all items to KidsSmart for direct distribution to local children living in poverty.

KidSmart’s Push for Pencils/Push for Change is the largest drive of its kind in Missouri. Through its free educational supply store, KidSmart equips underprivileged students in 160+ St. Louis-area schools.

All students should have the essential tools they need to learn. Research and studies have shown that having the proper supplies in the classroom can also help increase self-esteem for students, decrease absenteeism, improve children’s classroom behavior and empower them to overcome challenging situations at home.

More than pencils are needed

Here’s a list of the most-needed core items:

• Pens and pencils
• Crayons
• Markers
• Scissors
• Glue sticks/glue
• Paper (reams of)
• Pocket folders
• Spiral notebooks

Public education is everyone’s business

Help us get school supplies into the hands of kids who need them the most and make a difference in our community. Grab a bag or a box of pencils and other supplies and bring them to our Lemay or Arnold branches during normal business hours. Financial donations are also accepted; we’d be happy to do the shopping for you. Thanks in advance for your support.