SparkWheel is proud to announce it has received a $5,000 grant from Frontier Farm Credit to support the Sparking Success for Students in Parsons, Kansas Initiative.
This funding will help provide food resources to students, addressing hunger and nutrition as key factors in their overall well-being and academic success.
Parsons Middle School SparkWheel coordinator Susan Hill thanked Haley Strait, an employee of Frontier Farm Credit and a parent of a Parsons Middle School student, as she is the one who told Hill about the grant during the Parent Teacher Conference in October when Hill mentioned the amount of snacks and food the program goes through.
“She encouraged me to apply for the grant so I sent it to our program's grant writer and she did all of the work,” Hill said. “Without Haley though, I never would have known about it and it never would have happened.”
For 25 years, SparkWheel has been inspiring students and engaging families in ways that remove barriers and help them to thrive. Through the National Integrated Student Supports framework, the organization helps support students’ academic and non-academic needs, resulting in increased well-being and greater success in school.
“At SparkWheel, we know that meeting essential needs - such as access to nutritious food - is fundamental to helping students thrive both in and out of the classroom,” SparkWheel’s Director of Marketing & Communications, Noelle Haselhuhn said in a release. “With Frontier Farm Credit’s support, we can continue working to remove barriers that impact students’ physical and mental well-being, ensuring they have the nourishment they need to focus, learn and succeed.
“Frontier Farm Credit is committed to strengthening rural communities beyond agricultural financing. Through its Working Here Fund grant program, the organization supports nonprofit projects that address food insecurity, provide food rescue, and help break the hunger cycle. This contribution to SparkWheel will directly impact students by providing reliable access to food, whether through in-school pantries, meal programs, or emergency food resources.”
This generous support helps ensure that more students in Parsons have the foundation they need to succeed - because when students have access to basic necessities, they can focus on learning, growing, and reaching their full potential.
“As far as the grant itself, it will be a lifesaver,” Hill said. “We work with kids and the greatest incentive for kids is always food. Having a food budget for snacks helps convince to show up for activities such as Lunch & Learn, study groups, to reward students for good grades, behaviors or other achievements, and to be sure to have breakfast items available for students who miss breakfast or to supply those students who need some energy for after school sports and activities with healthy snacks.”