(This story is written by Missourinet St. Louis contributor Jill Enders)
ST. LOUIS- Former President Bill Clinton (D) traveled to St. Louis on Wednesday, warning about the dangers of childhood obesity and diabetes.
Former President Bill Clinton speaks to reporters at Gateway Elementary in St. Louis on November 1, 2017 (Jill Enders photo)
It was part of his tour of facilities which have implemented the “Alliance for a Healthier Generation” program, co-founded by the Clinton Foundation.
Clinton’s first stop was at Gateway Elementary in north St. Louis, located in one of the city’s highest-crime neighborhoods.
“I hope it makes them feel more empowered and less likely to act on frustrations and more likely to look for answers, because that’s what we need all over the country today. It’s easy to feel anger or resentment. It’s more important to find answers,” Clinton tells reporters.
Clinton says he’s pleased with the program’s progress at Gateway.
“What this school here is doing for these kids will benefit this area twenty years from now. Twenty years from now, these kids that are doing these exercises will be walking around with normal lives, productive citizens, doing things,” Clinton says.
The “Alliance for a Healthier Generation” program serves more than 35,000 schools across America.
Former President Bill Clinton speaks to teachers and staff at Gateway Elementary in St. Louis on November 1, 2017 (Jill Enders photo)
Clinton is also made stops at the north St. Louis MetroMarket, which is a mobile grocery store carrying local produce. He also visited a STEM program for disadvantaged girls in north St. Louis County.
Bill Clinton is the last Democrat to carry Missouri in a presidential election, winning here in both 1992 and 1996. He served two terms as President and left the White House in January 2001.