Rogers Scholars Ambassadors select a community service project for each meeting. For the August meeting, eight Ambassadors organized a backpack drive for God’s Food Pantry benefiting local elementary children. The backpacks were collected and taken to God’s Food Pantry and filled with food to send home with underprivileged children for the weekend. School resource centers distribute the food-filled backpacks based on need.

Participating Ambassadors included: Sarah Todd, Amy Puerto and Kathryn Crawford of Pulaski County, Danielle Williams of Taylor County, Kala Means of Wayne County, Cecilea Stephens of Monroe County, Stephanie Lawless of Whitley County, and Scott Stephens of McCreary County.

New Ambassadors are: Cecilea Stephens of Monroe County, Scott Stephens of McCreary County, Kathryn Crawford of Pulaski County, Stephanie Lawless and Maggie Thornsberry of Whitley County, Lynsey Robbins of Lincoln County, Jimmy Chambers of Lee County, Jon Preneta of Jessamine County, John Jeffries of Green County, Hanna Williams of Taylor County, Tera Addis of Floyd County and Clint Ray of Clinton County,

The Center for Rural Development is still accepting backpack donations. If you would like to participate, contact Jessica Melton, youth programs coordinator for The Center at 606-677-6000 or by e-mail at jmelton@centertech.com.

Rogers Scholars is a youth leadership camp developed and administered by The Center for Rural Development. For more information on the program and community service updates, visit www.rogersscholars.com.