ACES's vision to "encourage each child to pursue and achieve their highest personal potential" includes providing healthy food services to students, many of whom qualify as low-income and receive financial assistance and/or free and reduced lunches at school. In 2019, ACES served more than 11,000 meals through its Child, Adult Care Food Program.
ACES has suspended its after-school programming in response to the spread of Covid-19, but will continue offering "Grab and Go" dinner meal services Monday through Friday. ACES has pledged to continue providing meals through the school year, regardless of whether school is in session.
"In order to do this, we need your help," ACES organizers say. "We are looking to raise a total of $5000 (or more) so that we can continue to feed hungry children and families here in Bigfork."
PureWest Owner/Agent Jennifer Shelley has committed to match up to $2,500 in donations.
"In our little town of Bigfork, we have 40 percent of our children that go to school food challenged, and the families live paycheck to paycheck, and depend on breakfast, lunch, after school program, and weekend food," Shelley says. "We are unincorporated, so everything we do is donation-driven."
A state evaluation showed that 90 percent of teachers say ACES is an "integral component of school success," and 100 percent of parents who have utilized ACES services say it has benefitted their child, according to a press release.
"Thank you for any support you can give us to continue what we do so well – take care of kids," ACES organizers say.
To make a donation, visit this GoFundMe page. Learn more about ACES on their website.
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