Pilot program allows KidSmart to expand into Central Missouri schools for second time, providing FREE school supplies to equip local students in need for success!
ST. LOUIS (Sept. 8, 2025) – KidSmart and Ameren Missouri are partnering up on the second year of an exciting pilot program aimed at equipping 10,000 Central Missouri students in need with the school supplies that will help them succeed this back-to-school season. On Monday, Sept. 8, KidSmart with Ameren, and hosted by Walmart at their Columbia location, will deliver school supplies, books and resources to 400 teachers throughout the Central Missouri region.
Media are welcome to attend as teachers will begin to receive educational resources at 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Walmart Supercenter Parking Lot, 415 Conley Rd, Columbia, MO 65201, but the official ribbon cutting will occur in partnership with Ameren, Walmart and Special Guests including Cardinals mascot, Fredbird and Blue’s mascot Louie at 5 p.m. Teachers will continue to drive through the distribution receiving educational resources until 8 p.m. Teachers (invite only/pre-registration required) will be greeted by KidSmart and Ameren volunteers as they wind their way through a path filled with FREE essential tools for learning, including critically needed school supplies and educational resources to equip their students for the start of the new school year! This program will equip 400 classrooms with over $400,000 in free essential educational resources for learning and success as they get ready to head back to school.
KidSmart first opened its doors in January 2002 and provides a range of educational items that prepare students for learning and equip teachers for teaching. The organization currently equips under-resourced students in over 205 St. Louis area schools, and this will be its second drive-through event in Central Missouri. Inventory includes essential resources such as pencils, crayons, paper, markers, glue, folders, as well as STEM, art, and literacy resources. KidSmart’s mission is to empower students in need to succeed by providing FREE, essential tools for learning. KidSmart is driven by the belief that education can and will break the cycle of poverty. KidSmart remains steadfast in its commitment to enhance access to quality education for all 300,000 Missouri students who are eligible for the organization’s services, by 2032.
“Notebooks, pencils, markers, crayons and glue, we know these items go quickly each year so we are thrilled to be able to provide what may very well be life changing school supplies to area students in Central Missouri for the start of the new school year,” said Jennifer Miller, KidSmart Founder and CEO. “Throughout each school year, there are thousands of children who cannot afford even the most basic school supplies. These are critical tools that all kids must have to access learning in school. KidSmart is grateful for the generosity of sponsors and volunteers across the region, including Ameren Missouri, for shining a light on this need and mission.”
As a partner of this event, Ameren provided seed funding to pilot this back-to-school impact program, taking the KidSmart organization’s proven drive-through distributions to equip Central Missouri PreK-12th grade students in need with the tools and educational resources that bridge the educational gap that exists for kids in high poverty classrooms. Ameren Missouri committed $500,000 over three (3) years to KidSmart. This incredible partnership with KidSmart will equip thousands of students in need throughout Missouri and in the St. Louis region, helping to ensure KidSmart can continue to annually provide $8 million in critical supplies and resources.
“At Ameren Missouri, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed in school,” said Nya Grimes, manager, community engagement for Ameren. “Partnering with KidSmart allows us to directly support the teachers and students who are shaping Missouri’s future. We’re proud to help equip classrooms with the tools they need to inspire learning, unlock potential, and build brighter communities across our state.”
About Ameren Missouri
Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.3 million electric and 135,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company's service area covers approximately 60 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.
About KidSmart
KidSmart is a not-for-profit organization based in St. Louis. Founded in 2000 by a local educator who opened Missouri’s first and only free educational supply store, known as the “The KidSmart Free Store.” The organization has built a community-wide collaboration, which provides critical and stable educational resources for tens of thousands of students whose families live in poverty. Throughout each school year, KidSmart distributes millions of school supplies to equip students in need for learning and success in school. The organization believes that every child, regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic background, deserves daily access to the most critical tools needed to access learning. For more information, please visit https://kidsmartstl.org/ or follow us on Facebook.com/KidSmartSTL or Instagram at kidsmartstl.