The community partners of Eugene Ware Elementary in KCKPS help ensure the needs of the school’s students and families are being met through general food support, holiday meals, and distributing school supplies. “These projects help support the academic success of our students through meeting their food shortage need, and bagging the many materials that they need,” said Principal Monica Randle. “These projects support their basic needs to be successful and not worry about when or what they are going to have to eat next.”

Kids Kitchen provides hot meals to 20 families EVERY Wednesday, she noted. “My Social Worker along with the director work to get these meals to families and they have two meals included for each family member,” Ms. Randle said.

For Thanksgiving two community partners sponsored 11 families for their Thanksgiving meal (turkey, dressing, dessert, juice, etc.). “Of those 11 families, 71 people were provided a meal to remember. We also had a community partner (After the Harvest) donate fresh produce of greens, sweet potatoes, and squash. New Direction Church adopted five of the families with a HyVee meal. Families stopped by the school to pick up their meal,” said Ms. Randle.

Jegna Klub has provided three volunteered at Eugene Ware’s deployment to relieve the staff from having to stay late and to be available to hand out upcoming needed school supplies. New Direction Church also had two members assist with deployment in August right before school started and they have provided food pantry items to families.

For Christmas Jegna Klub adopted 25 families from Eugene Ware for food baskets (turkey and the works) and socks.  New Direction Church provided 40 gift bags with a little something of appreciation for teachers and staff for all their hard work.

“As the Principal at Eugene Ware, I am extremely grateful for the community partners who are working tirelessly to support our families,” said Ms. Randle.