Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Poplar Bluff High School students in need of an article of clothing, a personal hygiene product or a classroom supply now have a discrete place to go directly on campus to seek relief.

The Giving Closet has been established this academic year in the library. The operation is managed by Librarian Marci Priest, who maintains inventory through donations and receives help stocking shelves from student volunteers.

School board member Alana Robertson, who also serves on the Bright Futures advisory, read about the Little Bit Foundation, a cost-free boutique for poverty-stricken schools in St. Louis. She was able to further gather information from a relative at an educational institution in Florida with a comparable operation.

“It’s the whole premise of Bright Futures and I thought, ‘How wonderful if we can do something similar,’ because we all have kids that need our help,” Robertson said. The mission of Bright Futures is to help meet the basic needs of students through community partnerships with the business sector, human service agencies, faith-based organizations and parent groups.

The high school site council for the nonprofit took its first tour of the Giving Closet on Wednesday, Nov. 25. While discussions began last school year, plans for full implementation were put on hold until a designated space was made available at the new Oak Grove facility.

“In the past (lacking an element of anonymity) might have prevented us from meeting the needs of a child who may not want to come to school because they would freeze to death with no coat, or they don’t want their stomach growling until lunch because they didn’t eat supper, or they don’t have clean clothes,” R-I Attendance Officer Misty Dodson explained. “For a child to be able to just walk in and say, ‘I need this,’ cuts down on the potential negative feeling they may have in regard to their circumstances.”

Items presently in demand, according to overseers, include gently worn winter gear appropriate for high school students, undergarments and feminine products. For more information, contact the high school directly at 573-785-6471, or message the Bright Futures Poplar Bluff page on Facebook.

Shown in the photos: PBHS Librarian Marci Priest displays a tote of granola bars donated by Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District.

Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter High School Sr. Beta Club will host an Old-Fashioned Chili Supper on Thursday, December 15, 2016 in the high school cafeteria prior to the freshman boys basketball game against Poplar Bluff, junior varsity boys basketball game against Richland and varsity boys basketball game against Richland.

Tickets are $7.00 which includes chili, cinnamon roll, and a drink as well as admission to the Dexter vs Richland JV/V basketball games. Serving times are from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. and carry-outs are available!  Sr. Beta members are selling tickets, but you can still get a ticket at the door!

The games and Old Fashioned Chili Supper will be at the high school cafeteria/gym and not at the Bearcat Event Center.  Tickets will be available at the door.  Children 5 and under are FREE!

Public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Just a reminder: Only popcorn, candy and soda will be served at the concession stand!

Stoddard County, Missouri - Three Rivers College students from Stoddard County have received scholarships from the Stoddard County Development Foundation.

The recipients were honored at the college’s “Fulfilling Dreams” reception for students awarded Three Rivers College and Three Rivers Endowment Trust scholarships. Recipients are listed below by hometown.

Advance: Kristina Goolsby, Rebecca Heuring, Gracci Ward

Bernie: Bailey Muse

Bloomfield: Abrie Love

Dexter: Destiny Ann Cagle, Joshua Lacy, Lauren Stidham

            Essex: Drew Hickson

            Puxico: Shalynn Caldwell

Shown in the photo from left to right: Mark Stidham, Three Rivers Endowment Trust Board Member; Kristina Goolsby, scholarship recipient; Shalynn Caldwell, scholarship recipient; and Destiny Cagle, scholarship recipient. 

Not shown: Rebecca Heuring, Drew Hickson, Joshua Lacy, Abrie Love, Bailey Muse, Lauren Stidham, and Gracci Ward.

Dexter, Missouri - Three Rivers College students Kimberly Luna, Ashlyn Werneck, Terry Pettypool, Katy Wondel, and Laurie Wright have received TRUST Scholarships from the Three Rivers Endowment Trust.

From left to right:  Dr. Marty Michel, Chair of the Three Rivers Endowment Trust; Katy Wondel, scholarship recipient; Allen Brooks, Three Rivers Endowment Trust Board Member; and Mark Stidham, Three Rivers Endowment Trust Board Member.

Dexter, Missouri - Each year the Stuff A Bus campaign brings joy and much needed foods for the elderly and those who are struggling to pay bills and buy food.  The students love collecting the non-perishable foods and delivering a "bus" full to the Stoddard County Gospel Mission.

Last year nearly 18,000 canned and non-perishable food items were collected at Dexter Schools.  They set a new record and it is their hope to set another new record this year. 

While shopping this week, please pick up an extra case or a few cans of vegetables and send them with your student by Friday, December 9, 2016.  Each building is competing to see who collects the most food.  Williams Moving will provide the truck to haul the food to the Mission and hopefully there will be a cookie party for the winning school building.

"This is our 5th year of collecting for the Stoddard County Gospel Mission," stated Judy Patterson, freshman/junior high school counselor.  "It's my last one as I am retiring at the end of the 2017 school year.  I just hope we break another record."

The High School initiated the competition between the schools five years ago to help the local Mission with food for the holidays. 

Southwest Elementary, Central Elementary, T.S. Hill Middle School and the Dexter Senior High School will all be competing for delicious treats!  The school that brings in the most cans will receive home-made cookies from OPAA, their food service company!

Items needed for the Stoddard County Gospel Mission are dry goods and canned goods such as pasta, spaghetti, canned vegetables and fruits, mac & cheese, cookies, crackers, peanut butter, and any item that is non-perishable.

Throughout the Christmas Season people come together and realize how fortunate they are and also how some families are in great need this time of year.  The Stuff A Bus event was such a great hit the past four years they hope to continue to participate for many years to come to help those in Stoddard County.

We should feel very proud to live in such a community that is always willing to give back any chance we can.  We hope to see the Stuff A Bus event continue to positively affect many families for as long as possible.

Shown in the photo representing Central Elementary are from left to right: Jake Pain, Ryan Goode, Maddi Sutton, and Avery Ackman.