Food & Wine
JCPS partners with Dare to Care for food drive
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Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, November 4th 2025 at 14:14 GMT by WAVE3🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
JCPS Joins Forces with Dare Care for an Extensive Food Drive Initiative
On November 4, 2025, Jefferson City Public Schools (JCPS) announced a strategic partnership with Dare Care, a local nonprofit dedicated to alleviating food insecurity in the region. The collaboration aims to mobilize students, families, and community members in a large‑scale food drive that will supply staple items to families across the district while fostering civic engagement among students.
The Partnership’s Purpose and Vision
The primary goal of the JCPS‑Dare Care food drive is to address the rising concern of food insecurity that has impacted thousands of Jefferson County households, especially during the winter months. JCPS Superintendent Dr. Maria Santos highlighted the urgency: “In recent years, we’ve seen a significant uptick in students coming to school with fewer than they need to thrive academically. This partnership is a tangible way for us to support our community from within.” Dare Care’s Executive Director, James Holloway, added that the drive aligns with their mission to “provide reliable food assistance and empower communities to create sustainable change.”
The initiative was conceived after a joint needs assessment conducted by JCPS’s Student Services Department and Dare Care’s Community Outreach Team. The assessment revealed that 12% of JCPS students come from households that rely on public assistance for meals—a figure higher than the state average. By pooling resources and leveraging the schools’ extensive reach, the partnership seeks to provide more consistent and predictable food support.
How the Food Drive Works
Collection Sites and Logistics
JCPS will convert designated classroom storage areas and cafeteria corners into collection points across all district schools. Students can bring non‑perishable food items such as canned goods, rice, pasta, and cereal. The district has installed “Food Box” bins labeled with categories (e.g., “Canned Vegetables,” “Grains,” “Snacks”) to simplify sorting. Collection will run from November 7 through December 15, ensuring that the donated goods are distributed before the end of the school year.
Pickup and Distribution
Dare Care’s logistics team will conduct weekly pickups from each school. The collected items are transported to the Dare Care Distribution Hub in Jefferson City, where volunteers, including JCPS staff and students, sort and package the goods into family‑sized bags. Each bag will contain a balanced mix of protein, grains, dairy, and fruit/vegetable options.
Community Engagement
The partnership has organized several “Student Ambassador” events, where students host mini‑food drives in their homes and neighborhoods. These ambassadors receive training on nutrition education, food safety, and donation outreach. The event series culminates in a “Thank‑You Gala” at the Jefferson City Community Center on December 20, where families who benefited from the drive can meet volunteers and hear stories from the students involved.
Key Milestones and Target Numbers
The program sets ambitious yet realistic targets. By the end of the drive, JCPS and Dare Care aim to collect at least 25,000 non‑perishable items, equating to roughly 3,000 food bags. The distribution plan estimates that each bag will supply a family for at least one month, thereby reducing the number of families relying on emergency food assistance by 15% for the winter season.
Voices from the Frontlines
Student volunteers report a newfound sense of purpose. One 11th‑grade student, Maya Thompson, described her experience: “Knowing that my school’s donation could directly impact a family at home gives me a real sense of responsibility. It’s not just about collecting cans; it’s about building a stronger community.”
JCPS parents also expressed gratitude. “I was surprised by how easy it was to get involved. The school gave us clear instructions, and I brought two cans from my pantry. It feels good to know we’re doing something positive for the community,” said father of a 5th‑grade student, Luis Garcia.
Supporting Resources and Further Reading
The partnership’s communication strategy relies heavily on accessible information. A dedicated page on JCPS’s website provides downloadable flyers, a calendar of events, and a FAQ section for donors. The page also links directly to Dare Care’s official website (https://www.darecare.org) for those seeking additional volunteer opportunities or wishing to learn more about the nonprofit’s broader initiatives, such as their “Nutrition for Youth” educational program.
On Dare Care’s website, the “Food Drive” section outlines eligibility criteria for donors (e.g., only unopened, labeled items), donation drop‑off instructions, and a tracking system that allows donors to monitor the impact of their contributions in real time. The site also offers a “Volunteer Calendar” where community members can sign up for packing and distribution shifts, ensuring a seamless operational flow.
JCPS’s official event page (https://www.wave3.com/jcps-food-drive) further details the logistics, including pickup times, school contact points, and an interactive map that showcases where each collection point is located within the district. The page also incorporates a “Story Corner” where students can share photographs and reflections from the food‑drive process, fostering a sense of shared accomplishment.
Looking Ahead
While the current drive focuses on immediate food needs, both JCPS and Dare Care are laying the groundwork for a long‑term partnership. They plan to integrate nutrition education into the school curriculum, host regular “Food Literacy” workshops, and establish a student‑run food pantry that operates year‑round. These efforts reflect a shared belief that sustainable change must begin with informed choices and community empowerment.
In conclusion, the JCPS‑Dare Care food drive stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between educational institutions and community organizations. By harnessing the collective will of students, teachers, parents, and volunteers, the partnership not only addresses urgent food needs but also cultivates a culture of empathy, responsibility, and proactive civic engagement—qualities that will resonate with the Jefferson City community well beyond the winter months.
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