The Community Backpack Program supplied 400 backpacks filled with supplies to local students.

Janice Bearbower headed up the program, which started July 11. She said she had a supplier who was going to provide 400 backpacks with supplies for $17.50 each, and with the help of local businesses, the program had raised enough by July 25 to purchase the 400 filled backpacks from the supplier. However, on July 26 she found out the supplier could not fulfill the order.

This turned out to be a blessing, she said, because the program was able to shop within the county for the $8,000 in needed backpacks and supplies. She ordered $4,000 from Walmart, and the retailer was able to fulfill $1,100 worth of the order. She said she is thankful for Walmart's support. And from there, the program was able to shop many local businesses for the remaining needed items.

Sherie Wymore, pastor of Pineville United Methodist Church, allowed the program to store its supplies at the church and also provided accounting services. She is also the pastor at Noel United Methodist Church and Southwest City United Methodist Church, and all three churches contributed to the program. Bearbower said the churches were the largest contributor to the effort. The three churches, with about 50 people total, raised $2,500, Wymore said.

As a former school counselor, Wymore said, "I understand the importance of kids having supplies for school. I really do appreciate Janice's heroic efforts getting this together."

She added the churches she pastors are made up of "incredibly generous people with a heart for kids."

Leslie Kasischke and a group of volunteers from McDonald County For Kids packed the 400 backpacks in an hour, Bearbower said. Kasischke is also organizing the delivery of the backpacks to the schools.

Bearbower said one heartwarming story involved a group of children who donated to the program. The Anderson First Baptist Church's vacation Bible school students donated $284.08, she said. What stood out to Bearbower was the eight cents.

"They knew it was for other kids. They wanted to make every last penny count," she said.

Bearbower said organizers are planning on holding the backpack and school supply drive again next year.

Donors included: 4 State Lawn and Tractor, Tatum Motors, Anderson; American Ozark, Anderson; Andersons Floral; Apex Title; Area Auto Sales; Patsy Baldwin; Kim Bell; Buffalo Full Auto Service; Cornerstone Bank, Southwest City; Country Market, Pineville; State Rep. Dirk Deaton; Scott Dennis; Discount Dollar; Linda Dyki; Edward Jones; Elk River Computers; Elk River Mercantile; Jeremy Elliott; Anderson First Baptist Church; Anderson First Christian Church; Sheila Fuller; Goldstein Dental, Anderson; H&R Block Pineville, Noel, Neosho; Bryan and Sherril Hall; Harps, Anderson; Jason Hoth; Hurley's Olde Bay; Kellie Inman; Lace and Grace; Dora Latty; Lazy Days Float; Tanya Lewis; Liberty Utilities; Lifestyle Wellness; Main Street Lumber, Southwest City; McDonald County Chamber of Commerce; McDonald County Telephone; New Mac Electric; Noel United Methodist Church; O'Brien Realty Inc., Pineville; O'Reilly Auto Parts, Anderson; PB&J Hospitality; Pineville United Methodist Church; Pineville United Methodist Church Special Account; Rosa's Mexican Supermarket, Noel; Sean Crider State Farm Insurance and Financial Services; Simmons Hatchery; Solitaire Enterprises; Sonic Drive-In; Sosa's Hairdressing; Southwest City; Stangs Travel Center; Sugar Island Pineville; Southwest City United Methodist Church; The Babe Cave; The Specialty Shop, Noel; Town and Country Market, Anderson; Tyson, Noel; Wacky Pack; Wayne Alexander Inv., Anderson; Sue Willman; Nancy Wolfe; Shiela Yingst.

Print Headline: Program provides 400 backpacks

Copyright © 2022, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. (NWA Media)

This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. Please read our Terms of Use or contact us.

Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2022, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. All rights reserved.