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As families get ready for back-to-school, a new Neosho organization is working to make sure all students have what they need.
Inspired by the success of Joplin’s Bright Futures program, Neosho adopted its principles, forming its own organization. This Saturday, they will start helping families by collecting school supplies from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. at Neosho Walmart and Walgreen’s stores.
Teachers see needs the community is blind to, said Jonathan Russell, chair of the advisory board to Bright Futures Neosho. Sometimes it’s students without shoes, without a bed or with a difficult and complex family situation. Sometimes those needs are taken care of in house as teachers pass the hat for a needy student, but part of Bright Futures’ mission is to take those issues to the community to help on a broader level.
“This is about what we can all do,” said Russell, formerly associated with the Joplin program.
Neosho has already established a “food for thought” program, stocking a pantry with bags food for students whose only meal may be their school lunch.
It’s about connecting the community with students and the school district in a new way, said Melissa Thomas, public relations officer for Neosho R-5. Through the year the school district can put out requests on its Bright Futures Facebook page.
“There are a lot of students that their home lives are not situations that we can even wrap our brains around,” Thomas said. “It’s difficult for them to supply basic needs: clothes, food, love.”
Bright Futures was born as a way to reduce drop-out rates by identifying and filling needs in students’ lives that may not be classroom-related. The idea is to help students succeed.
“The Stuff the Bus is a great way to kick it off,” Russell said. “Before you can do anything at school you have to have the right school supplies.”
Working with community partners is another part of the mission and school supplies collected through this year’s Stuff the Bus program will be distributed as part of the We Care Fair, an event hosted at Abundant Life Church, off Highway 71 at 700 Spencer Dr.
It’s the third year for the annual back-to-school giveaway and 700 students pre-kindergarten to high school have already registered for the Aug. 6 event, said Brenda Johnson, Christian education director at the church. Last year 500 students pre-registered and organizers handed out 1,000 bags of school supplies during the event. Bags not picked up and extras will be given out after 4 p.m. to students who register on that day, but families are welcome to arrive at 1 p.m. to enjoy the free petting zoo, horse rides, castle bounce, hot dogs, popcorn and snow cones. Access Family Care will provide free hearing, dental and medical screenings and other organizations will offer freebies and information.
As families get ready for back-to-school, a new Neosho organization is working to make sure all students have what they need.
Inspired by the success of Joplin’s Bright Futures program, Neosho adopted its principles, forming its own organization. This Saturday, they will start helping families by collecting school supplies from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. at Neosho Walmart and Walgreen’s stores.
Teachers see needs the community is blind to, said Jonathan Russell, chair of the advisory board to Bright Futures Neosho. Sometimes it’s students without shoes, without a bed or with a difficult and complex family situation. Sometimes those needs are taken care of in house as teachers pass the hat for a needy student, but part of Bright Futures’ mission is to take those issues to the community to help on a broader level.
“This is about what we can all do,” said Russell, formerly associated with the Joplin program.
Neosho has already established a “food for thought” program, stocking a pantry with bags food for students whose only meal may be their school lunch.
It’s about connecting the community with students and the school district in a new way, said Melissa Thomas, public relations officer for Neosho R-5. Through the year the school district can put out requests on its Bright Futures Facebook page.
“There are a lot of students that their home lives are not situations that we can even wrap our brains around,” Thomas said. “It’s difficult for them to supply basic needs: clothes, food, love.”
Bright Futures was born as a way to reduce drop-out rates by identifying and filling needs in students’ lives that may not be classroom-related. The idea is to help students succeed.
“The Stuff the Bus is a great way to kick it off,” Russell said. “Before you can do anything at school you have to have the right school supplies.”
Working with community partners is another part of the mission and school supplies collected through this year’s Stuff the Bus program will be distributed as part of the We Care Fair, an event hosted at Abundant Life Church, off Highway 71 at 700 Spencer Dr.
It’s the third year for the annual back-to-school giveaway and 700 students pre-kindergarten to high school have already registered for the Aug. 6 event, said Brenda Johnson, Christian education director at the church. Last year 500 students pre-registered and organizers handed out 1,000 bags of school supplies during the event. Bags not picked up and extras will be given out after 4 p.m. to students who register on that day, but families are welcome to arrive at 1 p.m. to enjoy the free petting zoo, horse rides, castle bounce, hot dogs, popcorn and snow cones. Access Family Care will provide free hearing, dental and medical screenings and other organizations will offer freebies and information.
“If they pre-registered we will have school supplies until 4 p.m. at the fair,” she said. “Then we open to everyone.”
An order has been placed to fill bags with school items for the pre-registered students, but facial tissues are still a need, Johnson said. Wide-lined notebook paper, glue sticks, pocket folders, pencils and other general school supplies dropped off at the Stuff the Bus event will go into packets for area students.
“All the basic things,” she said.
Donations of nice jeans and coats and new shoes are still being accepted at the church for distribution and licensed beauticians are still needed to help with the free haircuts the event offers.
