Backpack bridges at Annual Conference

“Thank you very much for coming to St. Louis!” said Blake Youde during afternoon business at Annual Conference on July 9. Youde is the deputy superintendent of institutional advancement at St. Louis public schools, and he was there to bring more than greetings.

He had come to receive the 543 dollars, 40 boxes, and 417 backpacks full of school supplies that Annual Conference attendees donated to St. Louis schools. These supplies were collected during a special offering, and are estimated to fill over 1,000 backpacks altogether.

“There are 25,000 students in the St. Louis public school system,” he shared. In addition to standard K-12 education, many schools provide early childhood development, opportunities for young adults to finish high school up to the age of 21, special needs programs, and job preparation. "We are training the future work force of St. Louis," said Youde, and this fall, many of them will enjoy new school supplies donated by generous folks like you.

Reprinted from e Brethren