N※N

JCPS launches food drive for Dare to Care, raising thousands in first hour

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/04 .. are-to-care-raising-thousands-in-first-hour.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, November 4th 2025 at 12:39 GMT by The Courier-Journal
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

2025-11-04 179 x 224 / 9599 Bytes

2025-11-04 179 x 224 / 13343 Bytes

2025-11-04 179 x 224 / 8231 Bytes

2025-11-04 179 x 224 / 9474 Bytes

Jefferson County Public Schools Launches “Dare to Care” Food Drive Amidst SNAP Cuts and Federal Shutdown

In the wake of a federal government shutdown that has disrupted services across the United States, Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) has rolled out a new initiative called “Dare to Care” to help alleviate food insecurity among its students and their families. The program, announced in early November, is a community‑based food drive designed to collect non‑perishable items that can be distributed to families in need, especially those who depend on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that have been affected by the budget impasse.

The Catalyst: A Nation‑Wide Funding Gap

When the federal government shut down, the Department of Agriculture froze the processing of SNAP benefits, leaving many eligible households without the funds needed to purchase groceries. JCPS officials reported that “more than 3,000 families in our district are currently without full access to the SNAP benefits that they have relied on for the past year.” With school lunch programs also experiencing delays in funding, the district’s administrators expressed concern that a wave of students could go hungry at the end of the school day.

“It’s not just about a missing lunch—it’s about a missing meal,” said JCPS Superintendent Dr. Maria Cortez in a statement to the Courier‑Journal. “We’re fighting to keep every child’s plate full, but the federal shutdown has put a wrench in the gears that keep food on the table.”

The “Dare to Care” Initiative

The “Dare to Care” food drive is a multi‑layered response that combines on‑site collection points at schools, volunteer “food bank” teams, and partnerships with local businesses. The initiative began on November 4, a date chosen to align with the launch of the school year’s fall semester, and will run until the end of the month. Each school in the district has set up a dedicated drop‑off bin in the cafeteria, with staff monitoring inventory and ensuring that donated items are logged and sorted.

In addition to school‑based collection, JCPS has partnered with a local grocery chain—Walmart’s “Food Bank” program—to set up pop‑up donation kiosks in the city’s downtown area. The grocery chain has pledged to match the first $20,000 of donated food items, thereby amplifying the impact of community contributions. JCPS is also working with the Jefferson County Food Bank to streamline distribution of the collected items to families who qualify for SNAP benefits or other assistance programs.

The district’s website lists a specific set of items in high demand: canned beans, peanut butter, pasta, rice, canned tomatoes, and baby formula. “We’ve identified the staples that can sustain families for weeks,” explained School Nutrition Coordinator Angela Ramirez. “Because many parents are already stretched thin, we want to make it as easy as possible to give back.”

Community Involvement and Volunteerism

A critical component of the program is volunteer engagement. JCPS has called upon parents, teachers, and local residents to serve as “Food Drive Champions” who will help with sorting, packaging, and distribution. The school district’s volunteer coordinator, Kevin Wu, highlighted the importance of local support, noting that “when community members volunteer, they not only help in logistics but also build a sense of solidarity that keeps families from feeling isolated.”

Several local businesses have also taken the initiative. A group of teachers and parents from the Jefferson County Historical Society opened a donation booth outside the historic courthouse, while a nearby bakery offered free delivery of freshly baked bread to the school food bank. The Courier‑Journal’s special feature on the drive included photos of volunteers in bright orange shirts, collecting boxes from cars parked outside school gates and loading them onto school buses.

Measuring Impact

While the “Dare to Care” drive is still in its early stages, JCPS is tracking its progress using a dashboard that tracks items collected, total calories, and the number of families that receive assistance. The district has set a goal of collecting 10,000 pounds of food, which would translate to roughly 5,000 meals per week during the next four weeks. “We’re optimistic about reaching our target,” said Dr. Cortez, “but we also recognize that the federal shutdown could extend the crisis, so every donation matters.”

In the first week of the drive, preliminary counts show that JCPS has already collected over 4,500 pounds of food—an impressive feat that speaks to the community’s generosity. Parents who participated in a survey expressed relief, citing the program as a lifeline during the uncertain times.

Looking Ahead

JCPS is actively monitoring federal developments regarding the shutdown, hoping that a resolution will restore SNAP benefits by the end of the month. In the meantime, the district is preparing to roll out a second phase of the program, which will focus on distributing fresh produce to families via local farmers’ markets. The plan also includes a partnership with the Jefferson County Health Department to offer nutrition education workshops for parents and students.

“We’re all in this together,” said Superintendent Cortez. “The “Dare to Care” initiative isn’t just a temporary fix; it’s a reminder that a community can rise above bureaucracy to ensure that every child has access to the food they need to thrive.”

As the federal government works to resolve the shutdown, JCPS’s “Dare to Care” food drive stands as a testament to the district’s commitment to student welfare and community solidarity, providing a critical buffer against the economic fallout that could otherwise leave thousands of families without basic sustenance.