Cragin Charitable Trust awards $2,500 to Bright Futures Joplin
JOPLIN, Mo. – Bright Futures Joplin has been awarded a grant in the amount of $2,500 from the Joy Spiva Cragin Charitable Trust (SMB Trust Services).
The funds will be used in support of Snack Packs to provide weekend nutrition to about 500 food-insecure early childhood, elementary and middle-school students across the Joplin School district.
Students who qualify as food-insecure receive Snack Packs every weekend through the school year. The packs include a rotating menu of whole grain breakfast items, shelf-stable snacks and easy-to-prepare meals including fruit and milk to help feed kids who struggle with having enough food while they’re away from the stability of school breakfast and lunch.
“We’re so thankful to the Spiva Cragin family for helping us support our students who need us most. Food costs continue to be high, and so many of our students rely on Snack Packs to get them through the weekends,” said Bright Futures Joplin executive director Amanda Stone. “We can’t do what we do without this crucial support, so we are incredibly grateful.”
Bright Futures Joplin has been helping students of Joplin Schools living in situations of economic deprivation since its establishment in 2010. In addition to the Snack Packs program, Bright Futures supplies essential items such as school supplies, clothing, hygiene items, bikes for transportation and more. This support is made possible through local donations, partnerships with area businesses, community food drives, and grants.
Bright Futures Joplin is a grassroots, community-based program which helps students achieve success by matching student needs with resources via community partnerships. Through the support of local businesses, faith-based organizations, social service agencies, volunteers and parents, Bright Futures Joplin aims to strengthen the community by facilitating a brighter future for all students.
The Bright Futures framework was started in Joplin in 2010, and has since been implemented in more than 70 communities nationwide. More details about the program and its initiatives are available at brightfuturesjoplin.org.