Wal-Mart in Stuart awarded a $1000 grant to Stuart Rotary for the Blue Ridge Elementary School backpack program for the 2019-2020 school year. Stuart Rotary started providing backpacks for Blue Ridge Elementary students weekly in 2016. Since that time, Rotary members have packed more than 4,000 meal bags, providing over $25,000 in funding for the program. This program and funding have been made possible by generous donations from the Patrick County Agricultural Fair, Community Grants from Stuart Wal-Mart, and Grants from Rotary International. Each month, Stuart Rotary sets aside a Monday to pack meal bags for the month at the Hooker Building at Rotary Field. Community groups, clubs, or other volunteers are invited to help pack bags or make monetary or food donations to the program. If you would like to help, contact Stuart Rotary.
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Rick Spivey, Stuart Walmart Store Manager, Rebecca Dawson, BRES teaching assistant, Jen Cox, BRES Principal, Kristie Bentley, Stuart Rotary Backpack Committee Chair, and Dr. Richard Cole, Stuart Rotary President.)