MONTE VISTA — A recent national survey showed that over 50% of the people polled were concerned about how they would pay for "back to school" this year.  This prompted the Grace and Mercy Bible Fellowship, Monte Vista Rotary Club and Sunflower Bank to raise $1,900 to purchase school supplies for Monte Vista School Children.

"One of our members is a teacher at the middle school.  The stories she tells about the needs of our students really touched our heart," says Larry Foster, Pastor of Grace and Mercy Bible Fellowship.

"Education is one of the major areas of emphasis for Rotary International,” says David Hinkley of Monte Vista Rotary Club.  "What Rotary does around the world needs to be done in our own home."

Pastor Foster coordinated with the Monte Vista School District. It was decided that the supplies would be given to the schools and let the school counselors distribute the supplies.

What does $1,900 worth of school supplies look like — 2,304 crayons, 350 spiral notebooks, 14,400 sheets of notebook paper, 3,000 pencils, 25 sets of headphones, 576 washable markers, 100 pocket folders, 96 composition notebooks, 24 watercolor sets, 96 pencil cases, 100 yellow highlighters, 96 assorted highlighters, 192 pairs of scissors, 200 glue sticks, 36 bottles of glue and 1152 colored pencils.