JCPS partners with Dare to Care for districtwide fundraising and food drive

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  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, November 4th 2025 at 14:15 GMT by WDRB

JCPS Teams with Dare to Care for District‑Wide Food Drive and Fundraising Campaign

Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) has launched an ambitious partnership with the nonprofit Dare to Care to run a district‑wide food drive and concurrent fundraising effort aimed at bolstering student nutrition and community engagement across the Birmingham‑area schools. The initiative, announced in late October, will run through the end of December and will involve every one of the 42 JCPS schools—from elementary through high school—providing a unified front to support families in need and to build a culture of giving among students and staff.

The Big Picture

At the heart of the partnership is a two‑part strategy: (1) a food drive that seeks to collect 10,000 pounds of non‑perishable items, and (2) a fundraiser that targets $50,000 in cash contributions. “When students and parents come together around a shared purpose, the results can be transformative,” said Dr. Kendra L. Simmons, JCPS Superintendent. “We are proud to partner with Dare to Care, a local organization that has a proven track record of turning need into opportunity.”

Dare to Care, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Birmingham, has been active in food insecurity mitigation for over a decade. Their “Hope for Hunger” program has historically partnered with schools across Alabama to run pantry initiatives and mobile food distribution. The partnership’s official website—https://www.daretocare.org—offers a “Food Drive” page that outlines the donation process, including guidelines for packaging, safe storage, and pickup logistics. The site also provides an online portal where parents can pledge financial support and monitor progress toward the fundraising goal.

How the Drive Works

The food drive will take place in three phases:

1. Awareness & Education (Oct‑Nov) – Each school will host a series of “Nutrition in the Classroom” workshops for students and families, highlighting the importance of healthy eating and explaining how donated items will be used. Digital flyers will be circulated through JCPS’s learning management system (Canvas) and the district’s social media accounts.

2. Collection (Nov‑Dec) – Schools will place designated donation bins in high‑traffic areas such as cafeterias, front offices, and school halls. Items are to be sealed in plastic bags, labeled, and placed in the bins. JCPS’s volunteer committees will conduct weekly checks to ensure compliance and maintain inventory. Students will also be encouraged to bring donated items from home.

3. Distribution (Dec‑Jan) – Once the drive concludes, Dare to Care will consolidate the donations and distribute them to local food banks, shelters, and community kitchens. A “Thank You” event will be held at the JCPS Community Center, where selected families will receive a gift basket of donated food, and the collected funds will be awarded to the school pantry programs.

The fundraising component will run concurrently, featuring a “School Pantry Challenge” where each school will set a financial target. Students will earn “Donation Badges” for participating in on‑site donation drives and for earning money through chore charts or community service hours. Parents can contribute via JCPS’s secure online portal (https://www.jcps.org/donate) and will receive progress updates on the district’s fundraising dashboard.

Impact and Goals

The funds raised will be directed to several priority areas:

• School Pantry Expansion: Many JCPS students rely on on‑site pantries for meal assistance during the school day. The new funds will allow schools to restock supplies and expand pantry hours, ensuring that students who need extra help can access food in a timely manner.
• After‑School Nutrition Programs: A portion of the money will be earmarked for after‑school snack bars, especially in schools located in high‑need areas.
• Educational Materials: JCPS plans to produce new learning modules that teach children about budgeting, nutrition, and community service, aligning with the district’s “Health and Wellness” curriculum.

Dr. Simmons noted that the initiative aligns with JCPS’s broader strategy to create a “healthy and equitable learning environment.” “We are not just addressing hunger; we’re fostering a sense of stewardship among our students,” she said. “When they see how their small acts can have a big impact, they carry that mindset into every aspect of life.”

Community Response

Since the announcement, the district has received enthusiastic responses from parents, local businesses, and community leaders. A representative from the Birmingham‑Area Chamber of Commerce praised the partnership, stating, “This is an excellent example of how the private sector, nonprofit, and public schools can work together for the common good.”

The article on WDRB’s website includes a link to a local video featuring the opening ceremony of the food drive. In the clip, students from Jefferson High School were seen placing donation bags in a “donation chest” while a school counselor explained how the collected items would help families across the county. The video also highlights a small “thank‑you wall” where students write notes of gratitude for donors, underscoring the emotional resonance of the initiative.

Moving Forward

As the partnership continues, JCPS will monitor the drive’s progress through a dashboard available on the district’s website. By mid‑December, the district plans to publish a report detailing the total pounds of food collected and the amount of money raised, along with a breakdown of how funds will be allocated across schools.

The JCPS–Dare to Care partnership demonstrates the power of collaboration in addressing food insecurity. By engaging students, families, and the wider community, the initiative not only supplies essential nourishment but also instills a lasting culture of empathy and civic responsibility.