InterServ awarded $25,000 for youth center
By Jazmine Knight
InterServ will soon be putting the finishing touches on a youth center in St. Joseph with the help of Nestle Purina.
InterServ is currently in the process of renovating the building at 228 Cherokee St. The $25,000 check from Nestle Purina will allow InterServ to complete the project.
Projected to open March 1, the center will serve third through sixth graders.
“We want to serve our employees that live and work in our community. And so this is just an opportunity for us to give back,” said Brian Kingston, factory manager of Purina St. Joseph
Kingston said for Purina, it’s all about making a community impact.
“When we can give donations such as this and get our name out there, we want people to come and work for Purina,” Kingston said. “We want our current employees to be proud of our impacts in the community.”
The leader of InterServ said this donation will support the organization’s mission in a big way.
”Our organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of youth in our community, and this donation allows us to further that cause in a significant way,” said Brett King, executive director of InterServ.
“We are so grateful to have not one but two Purina facilities in our community, both of which have been important advocates of our mission for a long time,” he continued.
With the $25,000, InterServ will wrap up construction of a new outdoor play area. They also will add additional security features and furnishings.
Once the facility opens, King hopes this center will keep students on the right track.
“We’re seeing a lot of obvious stuff that happens after school that might not be very well put for the community as far as what kids are doing after school and their parents are still at work,” King said. “So we have that opportunity here at 228 Cherokee St. to provide some structure, some mentoring.”
The facility will be a safe space for children to do their homework and participate in arts and crafts, sports and STEAM activities.
Currently, InterServ helps 50-90 children per day with their various programs around the St. Joseph area. For those interested in the new center, contact the InterServ youth program at (816) 238-4511.
