By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE — Trussville City Schools announced a new program to help students in need.
Neighborhood Bridges connects the community with children who have needs. The school counselor keeps a list of needs and the program allows donors to supply those needs. The non-profit charity serves children, schools and families. Organizers call it “a gateway for kindness.”
Neighborhood Bridges started in Ohio and has spread to Alabama via non-profit, Hoover Helps. Executive Directors of Hoover Helps, Greg and Donna Bishop, hope the program continues to touch other communities in the state. The Bishops have reached out to 47 communities across central Alabama.
“It’s an opportunity for the faculty and the counselors to deliver kindness to children in need in the community,” said Greg Bishop.
The Hoover program has a fill rate of 100%. Since February, 620 children have benefited through Neighborhood Bridges.
The names and address of children are never made public. In fact, a counselor at the school finds needs and acts as the liaison to the community member interested in helping.
“We know that there are needs in each community and we know there are people in every community who want to give back and this is their opportunity to help out,” said Greg Bishop.
Needs can be accessed at https://www.neighborhoodbridges.org/communities.
The Trussville City Schools Board of Education’s central office and the Trussville Fire Department on Highway 11 will be drop-off spots. Only new items will be accepted.
Former Board of Education member Bill Roberts is the Neighborhood Bridges ambassador. Superintendent Dr. Pattie Neill presented Roberts with a gift of appreciation during the Aug. 19 workshop session.