Submitted photo. Marshall High School students work on a sewing assignment during a Family and Consumer Science class. The Pride in the Tiger Foundation has received a $25,000 grant from The Taco Bell Foundation that will support FACS courses and equipment.

MARSHALL — As the new school year quickly approaches, Marshall’s Pride in the Tiger Foundation has been named a recipient of a $25,000 community grant from The Taco Bell Foundation that will support Family and Consumer Science (FACS) courses.

“I think it really shows their foundation’s commitment to supporting youth education, and ensuring that kids have an opportunity,” Pride in the Tiger’s executive director Krista Bjella said. “There’s just so much that goes into these courses that are taught in family and consumer science.”

According to a press release, The Taco Bell Foundation awarded a record-breaking $28 million in community grants to nearly 500 nonprofits across the nation.

“We believe that empowering young people is one of the most meaningful ways we can invest in the future,” Lisa Lane Cardin, executive director of the Taco Bell Foundation, said in a statement. “This record investment is a testament to the power of community-driven change and the limitless potential that exists when we remove barriers and open doors.”

This is Pride in the Tiger’s third consecutive year receiving the grant, but was awarded more than double than what the organization has received the previous two years.

“We were nominated (for The Taco Bell Foundation grant) the first time three years ago. That year, we received $10,650. Last year, we got $10,900,” Bjella said. “This year when I wrote the grant, I actually wrote the grant asking for $13,000 … They awarded us $25,000, which is phenomenal. It is so exciting.”

A large part of the grant will help toward replacing tools and equipment used in FACS classes like ovens, microwaves, refrigerators and sewing machines, which most are over 20 years old at the high school. There are also introductory FACS courses at the middle school that the money will support.

“A lot of what goes into family consumer science, obviously those cooking skills, (but) there’s a lot of financial literacy. There’s a lot of social and emotional learning,” Bjella said. “The foundational skills for individuals to be good community members — Teaching them about health management and wellness, housing, human and child development, personal finance, budgeting … Along with a lot of soft skills related to career readiness.”

Coming off a successful 2024-25 school year, The Pride in the Tiger foundation recently awarded over $240,000 to 134 graduating seniors at its 26th annual scholarship ceremony in May, and also hosted its Tiger Annual Golf Classic on July 14 at the Marshall Golf Club.

The golf tournament also raises funds for the district, and saw its largest turnout yet with 102 participating golfers.

“We had such a successful day … We had a record number of golfers participating, (and) we had a record number of sponsors,” Bjella said. “It was a really, really great day to raise money … We raised some really good dollars to go towards teacher impact grants.”

“It would not be possible for us to do that without the local businesses that support us and support the tournament,” Bjella added. “Up and down Main Street, and all over Marshall, businesses just stepped up and helped make that day happen.”

The Pride in the Tiger Foundation is a nonprofit organization, established in 1999, that works toward raising funds and scholarships to enhance educational opportunities for Marshall’s public and private schools.