By K. Boeck
School seems to start earlier every year! Our chairman and former schoolteacher, Linda McKinley, stood ready to start the St. Vincent de Paul Conference Back to School Program in late June 2025, assisted by volunteers Jo Ann Zondlo, Lorna Neimantsverdreit, Barb Brown, Teresa Collins, and Yvonne Evans. Using our ServWare computer software, they prepared to contact our neighbors with children whom we had assisted during the current year. Together the volunteers created a list of families who wanted a gift card and possibly a Chromebook. These Chromebooks are small laptop computers that were refurbished and donated by GCU CityServe, an organization that assists non-profit organizations who has provided help to this cause in the past. Only families with students living full-time at their residence are eligible for this program, and last year 42 Chromebooks were given out to them. Most families who received these Chromebooks last year declined them this year, so only new users were listed to receive them.
In recent years, students’ coursework has moved from printed books to on-line materials. Some of the families who received these refurbished Chromebooks stated that they have become a valuable tool for their school children, and we hope that these Chromebooks help our students achieve a successful school year.
Of the eligible families called by the volunteers, a total of 37 Chromebooks were requested, and 82 children received gift cards. Some families only requested a gift card, and these were sent by mail to them. For the families requesting Chromebooks and gift cards, they were asked to stop at our pantry on July 23 to pick these up. Many families brought along their children to the pantry, and it was exciting to interact with them. Gift cards and Chromebooks were excitingly received!
This is one of our Saint Vincent de Paul (SVdP) programs that takes place during the summer season. This year, due to the economy, resources were limited but our SVdP conference continued to help our neighbors who are trying to stay in their homes and keep food on the table for their families. Our conference is proud to assist these families by giving them a little support to help their children start their school year with a smile and a little something special. Helping families in this way is special to our Vincentian hearts!
