#HopkinsStrong Relief Fund Updates
Since the #HopkinsStrong Relief Fund launched on January 16, the Hopkins Education Foundation has raised more than $250,000 to support the ICA Food Shelf families with children enrolled in Hopkins Public Schools (which surpasses our initial goal)! ICA Food Shelf provides food security and support for rent and utilities. Generous gifts have come in from 847 donors in 45 states and the District of Columbia, as well as five countries.
That total includes a $50,000 matching donation from Hopkins alumna and WNBA/Unrivaled basketball star Paige Bueckers and a $50,000 grant from the Chegg.org Impact Fund at Tides Foundation. Chegg and Paige previously partnered for the Food Market at West Middle School. Read more about Paige’s contribution here. Needs continue to skyrocket. ICA estimates there will be $600,000 in rent assistance requests each month.
To date, #HopkinsStrong has presented the ICA Food Shelf with two checks totaling $100,000 (pictured above). While $250,000 goes a long way toward supporting the ICA, it’s just the beginning. Our community still needs us.
This week, we are excited to announce a $25,000 matching gift from a generous community member. It’s good timing, because the need continues to grow. "In the past three weeks, we've seen hundreds of NEW families coming to ICA for food and housing support," says Matt Dymoke, director of Development and Communications at ICA Food Shelf. 'We expect these numbers to continue rising, especially as February rent payments come due. ICA is positioned to help our neighbors, but we need your support to meet the rising demand."
Please consider a donation to the #HopkinsStrong Relief Fund today. Your donation will go twice as far.
Partners in the Community
We have been fortunate to have several businesses offer support for #HopkinsStrong. On January 23, Unmapped Brewery and Base Camp Coffee & Provisions held Pour it Forward, donating $2 from every pint or coffee sold to #HopkinsStrong. They paired that effort with an ICA food drive. On January 30, Mess Hall Arts held a Gather and Create evening to raise funds for #HopkinsStrong, bringing together families to make art, enjoy community and music, and show support.
We’ve also had the support of Little Pepper Promotions (which includes Hopkins alumni) in getting free #HopkinsStrong stickers (look for them at local businesses around town), and Northstar Apparel, which is helping us sell #HopkinsStrong shirts so that 100% of profit supports # HopkinsStrong. Get yours today. The first round of shirt orders will close on Thursday, February 5. They are available for free Hopkins pickup or $10 shipping.
If anyone else at a local business wants to support #HopkinsStrong by displaying our QR code donation fliers, offering free #HopkinsStrong stickers, or fundraising in your own creative way, please send us a message.
In the News
In the past month, the #HopkinsStrong Relief Fund has gained state and national attention, largely due to the $50,000 matching donation from alumna Paige Bueckers. Read all about it:
Sun Sailor (pictured)
More Hopkins Education Foundation news can be found on our News & Media page.
