As Central Louisiana families check off their school supply lists with summer break coming to an end, one Vernon Parish community wanted to make the start of the year a little easier.
When Hornbeck students in grades K through 6 come back to school on Aug. 9, all of their supplies will already be in their classrooms thanks to the team effort of eight local churches and community organizations.
Jennifer Hughes, a pastor at Grace Assembly, made sure 26 elementary classrooms had exactly what they needed to start the new school year, an effort that took nearly $8,000.
“As a spiritual leader, I want to follow Jesus’ example,” Hughes said. “He provided those practical needs for the people, and so that’s what the churches are doing. We’re providing the practical needs of our community.”
For high school math teacher Nancy Anderson, who helped coordinate donations, the end result is priceless.
“It’s like a weight is lifted,” Anderson said. “Every student has the same supplies so no one will feel bad.”
Among those helping the cause, Leann Parrott, the mother of 13-year-old Hornbeck student Tristen Bodie, who died last July.
The group said it plans to bring even bigger blessings next year as it hopes to cover the entire Hornbeck school, grades K through 12.
In the meantime, school supplies will be available for Hornbeck junior and senior high students this Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall of First Baptist Church.
https://www.kalb.com/content/news/Hornbeck-community-helps-supply-school-513178411.html