By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Many Union City Middle School students will benefit greatly from the generosity of Reelfoot Rural Ministries in the coming school year.
The community-based non-profit group has partnered with UCMS teachers and students to provide several hundred dollars’ worth of supplies for the 2020-21 school calendar.
UC Middle School educational assistant Laura Ashley Chism submitted a needs list and delivered more than a dozen boxes full of all the necessities for students Monday morning, along with several backpacks to distribute once classes begin.
RRM normally assists families on an individual need basis. This year, though, in an effort to reduce health risks to families because of the coronavirus pandemic, the organization has made its services available to campuses in northwest Tennessee and southwest Kentucky to meet the needs of multiple teachers and students.
Reelfoot Rural Ministries Financial Director Donna Chism said RRM normally tries to provide for “between 400-500” students each year with its annual program.
“We have a number of generous donors that range from churches to Sunday School classes and individuals and this has allowed us to provide this need-based program for more than 15 years,” Chism stated. “This is what Reelfoot Rural Ministries does – provide for children in need.
“And we’re thrilled to be able to do so, especially in a time when there’s so much uncertainty.”
Chism said RRM reached out to “around 29 different schools” with the offer to help with supplies this year.
UCMS Principal Lance Morgan was understandably appreciative of the gesture.
“How amazing that we live in a community like this, where people and groups reach out to help,” he said. “This will help many of our students who are in need and I’m just so happy that they will be provided for by this act of kindness.”