Wentzville School District Thanks Participants of Holiday Assistance Program

At the Jan. 19 meeting of the , Director of Community Relations Matt Deichmann thanked everyone who took part in the

Deichmann gave special mention to his assistant, Mary LaPak.

"We get to help a lot of people. This year, we helped 395 families and 1000 of our own students. Mary has taken the reins and has made it even bigger," Deichmann said. "And we couldn't do it without our great counselors and our partner, Operation Food Search."

Karen and Denny Gladieux from Operation Food Search were called up to receive a certificate of appreciation from the school district.

Karen Gladieux spoke about another of the district's assistance programs, Operation Backpack.

"The community is wrapping its arms around the Wentzville School District," Gladieux said. "Rotary Club, Lions Club, the NEA. The bus drivers called us and wanted to do a food drive to help with the backpack program. Kids do service projects, helping pack the food up."

Operation Backpack helps 400 of the neediest students take food home for the weekends. Each backpack contains two breakfasts, 2 lunches and two snacks.

Diechmann said that assistance from Morning Star Church and Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service, who adopted more than 50 families, was also appreciated.