A common motivational quote found in many schools is “school is job number one!”

I know the purpose of this sign is to remind students to focus on school and the importance of education. Unfortunately, for some of our local students, they aren’t able to focus on school. Instead, they are worried about things they shouldn’t need to worry about. Like not having money to attend an academic field trip or event, not having snow pants to wear outside for recess or not having access to hygiene items like deodorant, shampoo, etc.

Ripple effect. The effects of simple things missing often begin affecting bigger things like academic performance, mental/behavioral health and physical health.

What can we do to support our schools and students?

One way that United Way of Southwest Minnesota (UWSWMN) is addressing this need is by providing Student Emergency Fund Grants. Each year schools have the opportunity to apply for this special grant. The simple application includes reporting the respective schools K-12 free/reduced lunch enrollment number. That number is then multiplied by $3.50 to determine the amount of the grant given to the school by UWSWMN.

A total of $9,905 in Student Emergency Fund Grants was awarded to 19 area schools for the upcoming 2021-22 school year. Funds are to be used at the districts’ discretion to support their neediest students. The goal of the program is to remove barriers that students face and allow them to focus on their academic goals and school experience.

Examples of fund use include the following:

• Activity fees — FFA, Knowledge Bowl, school program registration fees, community education registration fees and instrument repair.

• Transportation — community transit bus tokens

• Hygiene/personal care — winter clothing (coats, snow pants, mittens, hats, boots), hygiene items and lice kits/combs.

• Food — local gift cards for families to purchase food for Thanksgiving or Christmas meals.

To learn more about the work of your local United Way, visit our website at www.unitedwayswmn.org.

— Sarah Kicmal is president and CEO of United Way of Southwest Minnesota