Sikeston Altrusa Club presents grant to back packs program

Members of the Sikeston Altrusa Club, Back Packs for Fridays volunteers and Sikeston R-6 staff and students pose Feb. 20 with freshly food- and book-filled back packs for R-6 students who participate in the Back Packs for Fridays program.

Submitted photo

SIKESTON — Altrusa International of Sikeston, Missouri, Inc. presented the Enhancement of Semo Back Pack Program with a grant from the International Foundation on Nov. 8, 2019.

As a literary focus to help increase reading skills of local students, the Sikeston Altrusa Club will use the grant to place one book in each back pack three times during the 2019-2020 school year. On Feb. 20, the club’s members placed books in the back packs for the second time this school year.

Altrusa Club President Gloria Jackson said the grants of $250-$4,000 are available through sponsoring Altrusa Clubs from the Altrusa International Foundation Inc. to improve the economic well being and quality of life through the Foundation’s commitment to community service and literacy.

Established as a charitable corporation in 1962, the Altrusa International Foundation is committed to the service goals and objectives of Altrusa International Inc. Its sole purpose is to be an avenue through which Altrusans can assist Altrusa Clubs and other worthy organizations, throughout the world, to carry out their programs of community service and assistance to those in need.

Funding is provided by voluntary contributions from members, Altrusa Clubs and the general public.