Vantage Credit Union Collects 'Tools for Learning'

Hundreds of area children are heading back to school soon. Most will be armed with brand new school supplies, while others will not be so fortunate. In an effort to help all children begin the school year with the best tools necessary, Vantage Credit Union will be collecting school supplies through Wednesday, Aug. 31, to benefit KidSmart, an educational supply store providing teachers with free school supplies for students in area classrooms.

KidSmart gets new school supplies into the hands of students in need living in the greater St. Louis metropolitan area. Donations of new, unused school supplies can be dropped off at at 3860 S. Lindbergh in Sunset Hills. Even though all items are needed, backpacks and calculators are especially scarce this year. All 15 St. Louis Vantage locations are participating.

“We’ve supported KidSmart for 5 years,” Jennifer Allemann, public relations specialist for Vantage Credit Union, said. “It's always important for the kids to go back with new school supplies, it's the least we can do for the St. Louis community.”

If shopping for new school supplies is difficult for you, spare change can be donated in collection jars at each location. Credit union employees will use the spare change to purchase new school supplies for the drive.

Once the supplies are donated to KidSmart, teachers from eligible schools can pick them up for area students in need of school supplies.