ROBERTSDALE — The Robertsdale Rotary Club presented a $1,000 check at its meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 27 to Baldwin County Catholic Social Services Director Phyllis Beam for the organizations Project R.E.A.C.H. program.

Those who need help with supplies began signing up in July and volunteers began handing out supplies on Monday, July 22.

Project REACH, which stands for Resources for Educational Advancement of Children, serves low-income school-age children throughout Baldwin County by providing school supplies and financial assistance of fees.

“We are constantly getting requests and when there’s a need we can help even after school starts,” Beam said. “All they need to do is call us and we will try to help them.”

The colorful backpacks are stuffed with a variety of supplies, including pens, notebooks, rulers, colored pencils, crayons, binders, scissors, even headphones that students can use with their computers supplied by the schools.

“The only thing we don’t supply is loose paper,” Beam said, “but we have reams of paper that we will be donating in bulk to the schools.”

Supplies are purchased in bulk to keep costs down, Beam said. Anyone wishing to donate to the project can make a monetary donation for the Project R.E.A.C.H. program.

“We generally ask for $25 per student,” Beam said, “but really any amount is helpful.”

Beam spoke to the Rotary Club on Tuesday, Aug. 27 as part of the organization’s weekly program that meets every Tuesday at noon at Mama Lou’s Restaurant in Robertsdale.

In addition to receiving the donation for Project R.E.A.C.H., Beam spoke about the organization’s project to expand the office in Robertsdale and the organization’s Thrift Store, which has been closed since January.

“It’s been tough, because that has been a lost source of revenue for us, but we’re nearing completion of the project and should have it back open in a few weeks,” Beam said.

Catholic Social Services welcomes donations for these and other programs, Beam said. If you would like more information, you can call 251-947-3877.

About Robertsdale Rotary

Founded in 1948, the Robertsdale Rotary Club is a member of Rotary International which boasts more than 1.2 million members in more than 35,000 clubs worldwide and operates by the credo of “Service above self,” and under the motto of the 4-way test, “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? And Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

Locally the club meets at noon every Tuesday at Mama Lou’s Restaurant on Pine Street in Robertsdale.