Pitsco donates $30K in supplies to Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center after tornado

KBSI FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo., (KBSI) — Pitsco Education has donated more than $30,000 in classroom materials to aid tornado recovery efforts at the Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center.

The Pittsburg, Kan.-based curriculum company delivered several pallets of STEM kits, sensory learning products and furniture last month to help the school reopen after sustaining tornado damage March 14.

“At Pitsco, we have a workforce of purpose – and passion-driven people, and we wanted to step up and offer support to the students, teachers and the school community during this difficult time,” CEO Matt Frankenbery said, calling the devastation “heartbreaking.”

The donation was spurred by a hometown connection. Pitsco Chief Operating Officer Craig Yantis, a 1988 Poplar Bluff High School graduate, reached out to emergency officials after learning of the damage. He was connected with former classmate Patty Robertson, retired assistant superintendent of curriculum, to coordinate the effort.

“It was organic. The town got hit; we are an education company. How can we help?” Yantis said.

Kindergarten Center Principal Christy Young said the supplies were quickly put to use. “It couldn’t have come at a more perfect time,” she said.