Schools receive CFNCW Back to Basics funds

QUAD CITIES – Schools in Pateros and Brewster in Okanogan County and Bridgeport and Mansfield in Douglas County are among 21 in Chelan, Okanogan, and Douglas counties awarded funds from the Community Foundation of North Central Washington’s (CFNCW) Back to Basics campaign last September.

Each of the four schools received multiple-thousand-dollar amounts as part of $106,633 CFNCW disbursed from donations made to the Back to Basics fundraising campaign including:

Brewster School - $4,740

Bridgeport School - $4,272

Mansfield School - $3,272

Pateros School District - $3,257

The funds are aimed at helping students and families struggling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic with food, clothing, school supplies, health and personal hygiene and related expenses.

The fund allocations were based upon a school district’s population and number of low-income students. Public donations were channeled to the district of the donor’s choice.

The CFNCW Board of Trustees approved a $55,000 kick-start to launch the campaign.

“Earlier this spring when schools shut down, we heard a few stories about students having a hard time staying engaged n remote learning because they were having to care for their younger siblings, or their parents had lost jobs and were struggling to put food on the table,” said CFNCW Executive Director Beth Stipe. “We knew we had to do something about it and help provide some basic needs so they could focus on their education as much as possible.”

CFNCW’s Director of Donor Services and Communications Jennifer Dolge said family advocates and counselors were grateful for the support.

“They see first-hand the challenges many students and their families face, especially during this year of dealing with the pandemic and wildfire,” said Dolge. “Now they will be able to give them even greater support.”

Though the Back to Basics fundraising campaign is complete, donations are always welcome to school districts or PTAs in need of help this year. For more information visit cfncw.org online or call 509-663-7716.

The mission of CFNCW is to grow, protect, and connect charitable gifts in support of strong communities throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties. Established in 1986, CNFCW managed $85 million in assets through 500-plus individual funds and has awarded more than $35 million in grants and scholarships.