Care For Kids Impacts Thousands of Students Over the Past School Year

Imagine as a child you longed to be part of the baseball team but your family couldn’t afford a glove or cleats for you to play. What would it feel like as a student to try to keep up in school but words and letters are too fuzzy to read. What if you dreaded long weekends because you knew there wouldn’t be enough food at home to eat.

For many children across the Ozarks they don’t have to imagine.

Fortunately, thanks to the generosity of area donors, there’s a resource available to meet the needs of Stone and Taney county children.

Over the past 18 school years, Silver Dollar City Foundation has provided more than $2.3 million to area districts to meet the immediate needs of students. The program, Care For Kids, is funded through contributions from Silver Dollar City, White Water, Showboat Branson Belle, Woodland Hills Family Church in Branson, and others.

“With the support from Care for Kids, when we see a student has a need, we can meet that need,” said Branson School District Social Worker Sherri Paydon. “When immediate needs are met, our students can focus on their education with confidence and security."

“The incredible thing about Care For Kids is that it gives local schools unrestricted funding so they can meet the needs they see when they see it,” said Silver Dollar City Foundation Executive Director Mindy Honey.

“During the 2023-2024 school year, through Care For Kids, there were more than 5,100 instances of impact – that 5,100 times needs were met.”

At the start of each school year, Silver Dollar City Foundation provides 14 area districts with Care For Kids funding based on the number of students enrolled in the free or reduced lunch program, however, it’s up to educators to decide how to use the funds. When teachers or staff identify a need, the district has immediate access to funding, which means educators can often meet needs the same day. Sometimes those needs are as simple as a new pair of shoes but other times districts address much more complicated issues.

“Many of the families we work with have specific crises or circumstances that sometimes interfere in being able to provide a stable environment, such as mental health needs in a family, serious medical issues, financial instability or the death of a parent,” said Paydon. “Students need routine, stability, and hope. With the help from Care for Kids, we are able to provide stability by addressing students’ physical needs, which in turn helps students emotionally while they are in school.”

During the 2023-2024 school year, through Care For Kids: 1,090 students were provided clothing, shoes or coats; 380 vision, medical or dental needs were met; 679 students were impacted when the cost of activities were funded; 479 students were impacted when their families received assistance with housing or transportation; 1,533 students received assistance with school supplies; and 663 students were fed through meal programs and food assistance.

In addition to Care For Kids, Silver Dollar City Foundation provides Hope Grants to the 14 school public districts serving Stone and Taney county children. Through the Hope Grant, districts are able to address priorities impacting their district, such as increasing access to preschool, expanding Parents As Teachers, or creating programs to increase community and parental engagement.