The Bread Shed gave away 24 bikes to students during its ABC program on Wednesday, Dec. 15, through a newly forged partnership with the Manchester United Methodist Church’s Bike Rehab Ministry.

A total of 59 reconditioned bikes with helmets included have been raffled off for free to Poplar Bluff students over the past few months during the monthly food giveaway. “We are so fortunate they have chosen us,” stated Jim Ward, Bread Shed executive director.

Ward became aware of the bike operation through his lifelong friend, John Barhydt. A retired AT&T executive, Barhydt is a regular supporter of the Bread Shed based on his correspondence with Ward over the years, which dates back to age 3. “I like helping out organizations my friends are involved in,” he said.

Barhydt’s neighbor in the greater St. Louis area, Barry Cundy, has volunteered as a mechanic for the Bike Rehab Ministry since 2019. When Ward made a proposal to purchase bikes from the ministry in order to help encourage local families to take advantage of the food program, Cundy instead arranged for the Bread Shed to be added to the organization’s donor list. 

Barhydt has since driven a truckload from Manchester to the North D Street location on three separate occasions beginning on Sept. 23. Besides the drawings, bikes have specifically gone to students of the Early Childhood Center and Kindergarten, as well as to those of Mark Twain School in need of transportation for work, based on the size of the bicycles on hand.

The ministry accepts donated bikes, and puts them through a multi-point refurbish and cleaning process. For donations that do not pass the inspection, the bikes are either parted out or recycled. The ministry also sells higher-quality road or mountain bikes for a minimal donation and accepts monetary contributions. All workers are 100 percent unpaid volunteers, according to the website.

Since 2000, the Bike Rehab Ministry has provided over 9,200 bikes to folks in need, ranging from refugees to military bases, according to Cundy, who is a retired law enforcement officer and helps run the sales department. Typically the organization gives away 700 bikes per year, though that number has slowed down to about 500, post-pandemic, he noted.

As to what the bigger picture is for Poplar Bluff, Cundy simply replied: “The Bread Shed is gonna get a lot more bikes in the future! You’re on our donor list.”

The ABC program—A Better Childhood—supplies free food assortments to over 200 R-I families in need on the third Wednesday of each month, based on a ticket system coordinated by school counselors. The Bread Shed has expanded over the years to include hot meals, a mobile food pantry, senior food packages, a diaper drive, clothing and mobile shower units.

“We started out doing breakfast, and it just grows and grows,” said Ward, who has been involved with the nonprofit for all 12 of its years. “You couldn’t set out to make this happen. You can say it all was by accident.”

Above: Barry Cundy of the Manchester UMC Bike Rehab Ministry and Oak Grove counselor Diane Jones, who serves on the Bread Shed board, draw names while families look on.

Below: Isaiah Treaster of Mark Twain School wins a bike, which he said he plans to gift to his brother Jerimiah Richie of the Middle School, last week at the Bread Shed.

The annual Jingle Jog, an Oak Grove tradition of 17 years, combines charity, physical fitness and goal-setting, as well as community involvement during a Christmas-themed parade.

While she does not take full credit, this unique event pulls various elements from the versatile background of founder Jenifer Richardson, who recently announced her retirement as Oak Grove principal effective at the end of the school year. 

“It’s one of my favorite things we do,” said Richardson on Tuesday, Dec. 14, at the conclusion of the Jingle Jog. “I think it’s something our staff really loves. Everyone sort of pulls together.”

Over 1,900 nonperishable food items generated by students were donated to the Bread Shed, the nonprofit of choice this year. Students estimate how far they can run within five minutes in the parking lot, and vow to bring in one canned good per lap.

Organizations that volunteered included River Radio, Chad McCoy Memorial Foundation, Bread Shed, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, U.S. Forest Service with Smokey Bear, Poplar Bluff Police Department, Chartwells, JROTC, PBHS StuCo and the Junior High Life Skills class. Vehicles in the parade included UTVs, trucks, a Jeep, convertible, bass boat, tractor, sleigh and a motorcycle escorting Santa Claus. Animals included a pair of dogs, goats and a miniature horse. 

“It might have been our best one yet, in terms of community support,” Richardson reflected. “Every year we build upon what we do.”

The Jingle Jog began at Oak Grove Elementary during the first leg of Richardson’s career as a physical fitness instructor. She said she attended a state physical fitness convention at the time where she likely borrowed the concept.

“I’m sure I stole a great idea from somebody somewhere, and tweaked it to fit our Christmas theme,” Richardson recalled. “Service projects were big at the time, and it may have been a session about putting on a turkey trot.”

Richardson has spent the past 12 years of her 25-year tenure with the district serving as principal of Oak Grove, where she also happened to have attended elementary school as a girl. She said the Jingle Jog has been one of the schoolwide activities she has enjoyed being a part of the most.  

“I do hope it continues so I’m able to come back as a volunteer, and still be a part of it,” Richardson said. “If not, we’re going out on a really strong note.”

Above: First grader Josalynn Dugger keeps a steady pace as she completes her laps last week during the Jingle Jog.

Below: Riding on the back of teacher Kristie Robinson’s bike, Oak Grove Principal Jenifer Richardson allows herself to enjoy her final Jingle Jog perhaps a little more than usual.

Click here to view all 145 photos added to our running album, and be sure to Like your favorite shots!

Above: Sixth grader Kaileb Gainwell has the honor of placing the first handprint on one of the snowplows owned by the City of Poplar Bluff.

Below: Middle School students add some color to the plow blades with their handprints last week.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, from your friends in the Administrative Building! Thanks for reading along, and your continued interest in our school system. Please enjoy the holiday season.

KWOC will stream the entire 34th annual Poplar Bluff ShowDown basketball tournament live with commentary from Monday to Wednesday, Dec. 27-29, for the first time on the River Radio YouTube. The tournament will feature eight teams, hailing from Missouri, Arkansas and Tennessee. Tickets are $8 per day to attend.

On Sunday, Dec. 12, KFVS12 reported about our Mules Competitive Cheerleading Team winning the 2021 MCCA Class 4 Small Squad State Championship.

On Monday, Dec. 13, the ShowMe Times reported about our Middle School Chess Club; and Middle School teacher Aleanna Moore being named a McDonald’s Outstanding Educator.

On Tuesday, Dec. 14, KWOC also reported about our Cheerleading State Championship. 

The DAR additionally recognized our Competitive Cheerleading Team.

On Thursday, Dec. 16, the DAR published our photo gallery from the Jingle Jog. 

On Friday, Dec. 17, the DAR highlighted the Middle School’s snowplow activity.