On Thursday morning, KidSmart wasn’t going to let torrential rain get in the way of giving $1 million in supplies to area educators. The downpour hit just as volunteers were setting up for 1,000 preregistered teachers to drive through Ballpark Village and have their trunks filled with back-to-school essentials.
“Having these supplies helps kids have confidence. It sets them up for success. Teachers spend a lot of their own money trying to make sure their students have what they need.”
The drive-through was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. The rain pushed it to 9. Then 10. A third delay wasn’t an option. KidSmart organizers wrapped pallets of supplies in plastic, covered tables with bags — they even weather-weatherproofed individual items — and carried on.
“They show up rain, sleet, snow and shine to make sure teachers have what they need,” said Nya Grimes, who attended on behalf of presenting sponsor Ameren. “We’ve been partnering with them for about four years now — and it’s never anything less than what you see today.”
KidSmart’s Annual Ready for Back to School $1 Million Distribution Day is the organization’s largest event of the season. Corporate partners lined Clark Street, ready to load cars with supplies for PreK-12 classrooms across the region. Each teacher received roughly $1,000 worth of materials — paper, pencils, markers, folders, glue and other essentials that students in many schools often go without.
KidSmart Founder and CEO Jennifer Miller said the event helps ensure students walk into the first day of school equipped and ready to learn. She noted that KidSmart serves 200 local schools and distributes millions of supplies throughout the year to help bridge gaps in communities where families face financial barriers.
“The organization leans into a community-wide foundation of partners to provide essential educational support on day one and throughout the entire school year,” Miller said.
Every year, about 90,000 children in the St. Louis area begin school without the basic tools needed to access learning. KidSmart’s back-to-school season — which runs from July through September — relies on corporate and community partners to help meet that need. The organization’s Push for Pencils campaign, held August 1-31, is the region’s largest supply drive.
Lawrence Bryant | St. Louis AmericanTracy Lary loads school supplies into an educator’s vehicle during KidSmart’s Annual Ready for Back to School $1 Million Distribution Day at Ballpark Village.
Lawrence Bryant | St. Louis American
“This is one of our favorite events of the year among the things we sponsor,” Grimes said. “We share the same mission — to support students and education and make sure they have the resources they need.”
She said the impact is clear in the faces of the teachers who drive through.
“When you think about school supplies, you think it’s pretty simple and basic — but it’s actually really substantial,” Grimes said. “Having these supplies helps kids have confidence. It sets them up for success. Teachers spend a lot of their own money trying to make sure their students have what they need.”
“It shows why we should continue to sponsor this,” she added. “KidSmart is truly boots on the ground. They work long hours to put these events on. They show up.”
It was the first year for First Bank’s team, led by Director of Community Affairs Stacy Clay.
“First Bank is a community bank, and we are all about serving in whatever way we can,” Clay said. “This has been a great team-building experience — a lot of us from different departments coming together with the same mission of supporting our community.”
Clay said the hope is that students feel supported.
“We hope the young people who receive these supplies feel that the community loves them, supports them and wants them to be successful,” he said. “All of the organizations out here are on one accord when it comes to wanting to help young people succeed.”
“It was great to see the teachers,” Clay added. “They’re the ones who really make it happen for our young people. We’re loading supplies, but they’re the ones who will distribute them to students who need them to be successful in school — and, subsequently, in life.”
Educator Uvette Powell knows the impact firsthand. Thursday marked her second year coming through the drive-through.
“Every little bit helps,” Powell said. “And this was a lot more than a little bit. We need all the support we can get to help these babies.”
The sense of connection stretched beyond supplies. As Powell mentioned her school, one volunteer paused.
“Did she say Sumner?” asked Tracy Larry, who was helping direct traffic. “I went to Sumner — Class of ’87.”
Even in the rain, even with delays, the morning carried the same spirit KidSmart brings every year — community showing up for teachers, teachers showing up for students, and students walking into the school year with what they need.
“KidSmart is driven by the belief that education can and will break the cycle of poverty,” Miller said.