EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — Around 300 elementary school students received free coats and reading books in East St. Louis on Friday.
The Little Bit Foundation has expanded into Illinois and selected Annette Harris Officer Elementary School to be its first partner in the state.
The non-profit, founded in 2001, aims to break down barriers for families. It works to address basic needs, provide health education and intervention and expand academic and career opportunities.
On Friday morning, team members from the foundation, school leaders and community members joined students as they learned about being the 50th school chosen by the group to receive help.
Acknowledgments and student performances filled the gymnasium as the community came together to honor the occasion. Every student received a brand new coat to keep them warm, along with books to nurture their minds.
Miranda Walker, CEO of the foundation, was proud to return to her hometown of East St. Louis to give back.
"This is what you want to inspire in our communities. Communities of kids go. They go to college. They go do jobs and they come back and they contribute to the communities that gave so much to them," she said.
The partnership with the Little Bit Foundation is permanent. They have built a boutique on the second floor of the school where students can request items like coats, uniforms, and toiletries.
The Little Bit Foundation goes beyond providing material goods; they also offer wellness and family support services. With case managers dedicated to addressing individual needs and in-school food markets in collaboration with the STL Area Foodbank, Little Bit strives to ensure that every child and family has the support they need to thrive.
Darla Wall, the school principal, emphasized the significance of such resources in a community facing economic challenges.
"For our families and our community to have this resource phenomenal," Wall said.
The Little Bit Foundation has also partnered with East St. Louis High School to help with college career readiness and other services.
The organization is looking for volunteers for both schools.