Hope lives here…
Through Silver Dollar City Foundation’s Hope Grants, local communities are creating hope for their students and parents struggling to see the light.
Fourteen school districts in Stone and Taney counties have received more than $350,000 over the past two years to address life’s hardships such as food insecurities, parental engagement, lack of daycare providers and early childhood education opportunities.
Take a look at a few of this year’s recipients to learn how Hope Grants are serving as that beacon of light to overcome hopelessness.
Kirbyville: Preschool Progress
While Kirbyville’s Preschool has been part of the community for many years, it was not operating at full enrollment as many parents struggled to pay the $14 a day fee.
A $12,000 Hope Grant helped offset that expense to parents, bringing down the cost to $5 a day. The preschool’s enrollment jump and now they are often at capacity.
The affordability of the daycare means that children are receiving great education, are creating friendships and learning important social skills while their parents are able to work and provide for their family, knowing their child is loved and cared for at the preschool.
Branson: Backpack Food Program
It’s a sad reality that outside of school, food can be scarce for many area children. Through a Backpack Food Program, Branson Public Schools provides approximately 420 students each week with food for over the weekends. Providing these nutritious meals not only fills their bellies, but it can instill a sense of hope that the community cares about their well-being and they are not alone in their struggles.
The $15,000 Hope Grant helped fill the backpacks with easy-to-prepare meals such as macaroni and cheese, fruit cups, granola bars, soup, and cereal. Thanks to the grant, all 420 students on the list were able to take home a backpack of food each weekend.
Galena: School Resource Officer
The security of a uniformed officer at school provides tremendous hope and a sense of security to students. Many small school districts however cannot afford the expense of a school resource officer. Using a $15,000 Hope Grant, Galena School District is filling that need, using the funds to equip and train an officer.
Creating this environment of safety eases fears and that gives parents tremendous hope and peace as they send their children to school.
