Ensuring Essential Needs Are Met For ALL Students
Did you know that more than 70 families in the City Schools of Decatur are experiencing homelessness and financial instability? The burden of being temporarily unhoused or food insecure can be overwhelming, particularly for young people. You can help by donating to our monthly Amazon Wish List that is then distributed to students via the school counselors.
This is why the Decatur Education Foundation established the Lighten the Load program — to offer hope, support, and opportunities to those students who need it most.
The Decatur Education Foundation collaborates closely with City Schools of Decatur social workers, McKinney-Vento administrators, counselors at the Beacon Hill Middle School and Decatur High School student centers, and the Decatur Housing Authority. Together, we provide a comprehensive range of support services. Through the Lighten the Load program, we ensure students have access to snacks during the school day, guaranteeing that hunger is not a barrier to learning. We provide students with clothing, toiletries, and essential personal items to boost their self-esteem and confidence. And for families facing immediate crises, we offer emergency assistance to provide a safety net during tough times.
Join us in supporting our students by making a donation to the Lighten the Load program today.
We know that our students’ needs are not confined to school hours. The Decatur Education Foundation’s volunteer-run Weekend Food Packs program ensures students have nourishing meals over weekends. We also provide students with clothing essentials (like shoes, weather-appropriate outerwear, and athletic gear), field trip or classroom supplies, vital medical care (like eyeglasses and sports physicals), and summer camp scholarships. With your generous help, DEF remains committed to nurturing the potential of every student in Decatur, ensuring that no obstacle stands in the way of their academic and personal growth.
Help ensure no child goes hungry over the weekend and support DEF’s Weekend Food Packs program with your donation now.