The parking lot of Fellowship General Baptist Church was packed; it wasn’t Sunday.
It was Thursday.
Cars carrying children and parents lined up as workers handed school supplies through rolled-down windows.
The entire process only took a few moments.
The South Central Missouri Community Action Agency organized the drive-thru school readiness event.
The first drive-thru event happened in 2000.
Ann Smith, executive director for SCMCAA,said she was at a community meeting and mentioned needing a larger venue for this event, which has been going on since 2000.
Byron Beck, pastor of the Fellowship General Baptist church, volunteered to hold the event at his chuch.
Smith said they needed a place with a lobby so that the workers would have a place to take breaks.
Those who were helping with the distribution were staff members of various agencies, including employment transitioning, home visitation, community service staff and Head Start.
Community businesses, such as First Midwest Bank, also were involved. Debbie Shelton and Teresa Rueck gave out backpacks filled with school supplies.
Karsyn Abernathy and Ruth Peabody from Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health Prevention provided substance misuse preventative flyers, note pads, hand santiziers, stress balls, goodie bags and medication disposal pouches.
Terri McCormick from the Poplar Bluff Boys and Girls Club was also on hand, helping with the distribution of school materials.
Funds to purchase supplies for the event came from the Missouri Department of Social Services’ block grant program.
Smith said they set aside a certain amount each year for this event.
Participants had to preregister, and had to meet a certain income level requirement in order to be part of the drive thru.