The Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools is looking for help as they try and replenish it’s student emergency fund. Foundation President Wendy Van tells KLIN News they normally have about $100,000 in that fund.
“But when the pandemic hit, the needs were just so intense and we went from giving about $9,000 a year to giving away $116,000 a year on average.” Van says the balance has dropped to around $20,000 and they are hoping to raise around $80,000 so they can reopen the account next semester.
The fund is used to provide emergency relief for struggling families. “The main things that we have supported through that fund have been rent, utilities, food and gas,” Van says. She says the support is designed to get families through an immediate emergency. They are then connected with other agencies who can provide long-term resources.
Any families can qualify for help, but they can only use the fund once a year. The foundation limits each family to around $200. Van says they owe it to the students of the community to give them what they need to reach their full potential. “We want to make sure that when kids come to school they’re ready to learn, that they have food on the table and they’re not scared where they may be sleeping that night.”
Anyone who wants to donate to the emergency fund can click here.