SG R-II would like to thank our 2022-2023 donors of the Backpacks for Friday program, an initiative that provides basic food staples to needy families. Ste. Genevieve County 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.
Funds are raised a year in advance. For the 2023-2024 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 320 students, and 34 backpacks were placed at Ste. Genevieve Elementary, which has an enrollment of 535 students.
SG R-II would like to share a heartfelt thank you to the following 2022-2023 donors whose donations funded the backpacks for the current school year:
Alumni Group of 24th Judicial Circuit Treatment Court, American Legion Post 150, Basler Funeral Home, Ms. Elaine Belovich, Beta Rho, Bloomsdale Bank, Bloomsdale Excavating, Brockmiller Construction Inc., CE Contracting, Inc., Citizens Electric Corporation, Equipment Pro Inc., Fallert Bus Service, First Baptist Church of Ste. Genevieve, Flieg’s Equipment Inc., Holcim, the Kozy/Dew Drop Inn, L.J. Hart & Company, L’Hoist North America, Mr. & Mrs. Bobby & Rebecca Latempt, Lost Acres Antique Tractor Club Inc., Ms. Donna Marler, Mississippi Lime Company, MRV Banks, R & K Excavation, Inc., River Hills Thunderin’ Longbeards, Rotary Club of Ste. Genevieve, Mr. Rick Rudloff & Ms. Carol Steiger, Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Teresa Slough, S T Gear & Machine LLC, Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital, Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital - Medical Staff, Ste. Genevieve Eagles Aerie & Auxiliary 4336, Ste. Genevieve Elks Lodge 2674, Ste. Genevieve Vision Care, University of Missouri Extension Council, the Weingarten Jaycees, the GFWC Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve, Women’s Horseshoe Legion Team #1, and the Zell Area Jaycees.
We would like to share 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, Mr. Joseph Hull, and Mrs. Joann Grein, who help organize and transport the monthly shipments; and our Maintenance Department who help to coordinate delivery.
We all know that when our students’ basic needs are met, they can focus on learning and growing into strong, productive, healthier citizens.
If individuals, organizations or businesses would like to make a donation to the program, please make your tax deductible donation payable to “Care to Learn Ste. Genevieve” with “Backpacks for Friday Program” noted on the memo line.
Donations should then be sent to:
Ste. Genevieve County R-II School District
Attn: Lance McClard, Asst. Supt.
375 N. 5th Street
Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670
*Donations made during a school year actually fund the following school year's backpacks for students. The group of donors listed below made donations during the 2022-2023 school year—those donations funded the current school year's backpacks. Any business, organization or individual who provided a donation during our current school year will be spotlighted as a group during the 2024-2025 school year, as their donations will fund those backpacks.