SMITHTOWN —
Nearly five years ago, Smithtown Elementary School closed its doors following the consolidation of McCreary County Schools.
Two other schools that closed with that decision found new uses fairly quickly. Eagle Elementary was transferred into the Eagle Community Center, operated by the Christian Appalachian Project, while Stearns Elementary to make way for the Stearns Residence Center, an apartment building for persons 55 and older. But Smithtown had no new purpose beyond storage until recently.
With the decision to relocate the district's Fixed Assets Department from central office to the old Smithtown building, McCreary County Schools Supt. Donnie Wright saw an opportunity to bring back a program that helped many in the community.
Simply known as The Community Center, the district’s original distribution center was operated out of a rented facility in Revelo. Though popular, the center was closed in June 2008 when the Kentucky Department of Education advised the McCreary County Board of Education that district funds must be spent on school-related programs.
However, Wright and board members were still interested in helping the community at large. In the last year, the district has developed a partnership with Operation Share in Scott County as well as the local Americorps VISTA program. Working with these volunteer organizations has allowed the district to open the new McCreary Outreach Center.
“The first distribution was last Tuesday [March 2] and we were pleased with the outcome,” Wright said. “At this point we have an abundance of clothes and we do anticipate that the Center will move forward with distributing these items. It would be good to have a giveaway every Tuesday but this will be decided as we progress.”
Today a distribution was planned for food items with the goal to alternate weekly between apparel and foodstuff. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Tuesday.
Wright noted that the district’s Family Resources/Youth Services Centers also make up a vital component of community outreach. He encouraged families, particu-larly in emergency situations such as burnouts, to contact the school center in their community when needing assistance.
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Related Photos
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School board member Nelda Gilreath was one of several volunteers preparing for last week’s clothing distribution at McCreary Outreach Center located at the former Smithtown Elementary, below. Janie Slaven
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Smithtown Elementary Janie Slaven
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