Food Bank Rewards ROAR Students
The Southeast Texas Food Bank donated 523 backpacks with school supplies to each second-grader in the ROAR program.
“On behalf of Director of Programs Harvey Zernial, Executive Director Dan Maher and myself, we are so grateful to be able to reach back to encourage a child who may feel lost or alone as a result of needing help with reading,” said Children's Program Coordinator Mary Simon. “With having the opportunity to read and understand, we hope this donation will help them to succeed in their future educational journey and encourage them to never give up on their goals.”
Simon is a current ROAR volunteer and said she found her experience enlightening and inspiring as she looked forward to her sessions. “It didn't matter what kind of week it was or the hectic pace, my energy was renewed and refreshed knowing that I would have the pleasure to meet with my two amazing students,” said Simon. “To see them transform socially and academically each week was so gratifying.”
Fourteen BISD schools and 255 ROAR volunteers were a part of the program for the 2018-19 school year.