2022 Fundraising Goal: $4,000

This Is Who We Serve

Boone County is a gateway to the South with a rich history.  It is known for its local charm, close proximity to Cincinnati OH, state of the art educational facilities, and local sports excitement. It is an active community promising opportunity for growth both personal and professional.  “Boone County is a community who takes care of you.”  (Adapted from Boone County KY Website – Community Movies)

But did you know that, according to the Kentucky Department of Education, in the 2021-2022 school year, 45% of children attending Boone County schools qualified for free and reduced lunch?  These children qualify for this program because their families’ income is up to 185% of the established poverty line.

“I helped a little girl that had her shoes, literally, with scotch tape around the top to keep her shoe together.” Renee Wooten, Family Resource Coordinator at Steeplechase Elementary School.

Lower socio-economic status is not the only barrier to success experienced by children in Boone County schools. For some children, it feels like walking to school, uphill both ways.  Wooten says, “We have 18 different languages spoken here. The most popular are English, Spanish and French.”

“We have a lot of students who struggle with anxiety. Others who struggle with depression. We also have seen sexual orientation issues.  That’s a big thing; especially at the middle school level.” Jalen Clark, Connor Middle Youth Services Coordinator.

Clark continues, “It’s an eye opener for sure.  To be able to see firsthand and to understand why some of these kids don’t care about getting detentions or don’t care about getting Saturday school. It’s because that time away from home may actually be the sanctuary for them.”

Wooten says, “People think it’s all Triple Crown. When I go to conferences with other Resource Coordinators, they ask me “Why does Boone County have a need?”  They don’t know and they don’t see it.  A lot of families live paycheck to paycheck and at any time they could loss a job or be sick for two weeks.  Then they are not able to pay rent.  That’s why a lot of families choose to go to hotels.  Everything is all encompassed in that one bill.”  (Adapted from This Is Who We Serve)

The Annual School Supply Drive at Florence Christian Church strives to eliminate one barrier to success for many Boone County students – access to necessary tools to do their schoolwork – basic school supplies.  In addition to paper, pens and pencils, the School Supply Drive Team buys graphing calculators, specialized organizational tools and subject-specific supplies per the requests of the Family Resource Coordinators at each school.

Your financial support and gift of school supplies makes it possible for many students who are Walking To School Uphill Both Ways to succeed educationally.

To support this year’s School Supply Drive, please leave new and gently used supplies in the bins provided in the Narthex.

To  make a financial donation directly to the School Supply Drive, select School Supply Drive from the drop down menu.

Click on the Get Involved button to sign up to volunteer.