Courtesy of Bladen County Schools
As part of their 2023 Campaign, Lumber River United Way has launched a new initiative—The Bladen County McKinney-Vento Fund, to help support some of our most vulnerable students.
As part of LRUW’s 2023 Campaign, a partnership with Bladen County Schools provides winter coats, shoes, food, and twin air mattresses for homeless students. To date, 30 students in the public school system have been identified as homeless. The number of homeless students is anticipated to grow, considering last year’s enrollment reached 144.
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law created to support the enrollment and education of homeless students. McKinney-Vento is intended to provide homeless students the same educational opportunities as housed students by removing as many barriers to learning for homeless students as possible. Lumber River United Way is working to provide services to assist in removing those barriers with the inception of the McKinney-Vento Fund for Bladen County Schools.
“Lumber River United Way strives to meet the needs in the community by bridging gaps where funding needs are often overlooked,” said United Way board president Dr. Cathy Gantz. “Without the dedication of individuals, companies, small businesses, and churches United Way would be unable to assist those needs in the school system”.
Since 2019, the number of homeless students in Bladen County has risen 280%, Lumber River United Way measures effectiveness by providing a winter coat and shoes, nonperishable food to be taken home on the weekends, or a good night’s sleep on a bed instead of a floor or couch.
Four County Electric Care Trust, Leinwand’s, and Specialty Product Technology (SPT) have joined the initiative. These three entities share United Way’s views on the importance of children having a good night’s sleep, warm clothing, and food to be productive students in school daily. These simple things ensure children’s enrollment in school without external factors that cannot be controlled.
Four County Electric Care Trust has contributed $3,000 towards the fund, SPT employees are hosting a supply drive, and Leinwand’s is donating winter coats. Lumber River United Way’s goal beyond the supply drives is to raise $10,000 for the McKinney-Vento Fund.
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