Hopkins Strong Relief Fund Reaches $321,214 in Donations to ICA Food Shelf

On Wednesday, April 15, the Hopkins Education Foundation presented $27,025 to the ICA Food Shelf as part of the #HopkinsStrong Relief Fund, raising the total donated to $321,214. This surpasses the foundation’s initial goal of $250,000.

The #HopkinsStrong Relief Fund, organized by the Hopkins Education Foundation (HEF), launched on January 16 to support Hopkins Public Schools families living in fear of federal immigration enforcement. The Hopkins Education Foundation is a nonprofit that partners with the Hopkins Public Schools community to fund educational projects and experiences for our students. Since 1995, HEF has awarded $4 million in funds to support Hopkins Public Schools students, teachers, and staff in their endeavors.

“We mobilized quickly once we heard how many Hopkins Public School students were staying home, starting with 150 and rising to 350.” said HEF Executive Director Emily Wallace-Jackson. “We looked at what our teachers, counselors and parents were doing for Hopkins Public Schools families, from collecting money with personal Venmo accounts, to buying and delivering groceries, and we were inspired. With our foundation’s broad reach, we thought we could help.”

Hopkins Education Foundation quickly decided to partner with the ICA Food Shelf, a local organization that could provide food, rent, and utilities support to vulnerable Hopkins Public Schools families. “At Hopkins Education Foundation, our mission is to rally the love of learning – but kids can't learn on an empty stomach. Food security, as well as housing security, is essential for academic success,” said Wallace-Jackson.

Since its inception, #HopkinsStrong has received contributions from more than $1,000 donors from 48 states (and Washington, D.C.) and four other countries. “The response from the community has been incredible, far beyond what we hoped for,” said Wallace-Jackson. A flurry of donations in January was fueled in part by a $50,000 matching donation from Hopkins grad and WNBA basketball star Paige Bueckers.

As a result, ICA has delivered nearly 2,000 emergency food kits to Hopkins families, and prevented 86 Hopkins families from eviction—and their work continues. “We had to pivot overnight,” said Dan Narr, Executive Director of ICA Food Shelf. “It was probably the most difficult crisis we’ve faced in the last six years. We couldn’t have done the job without the support of the Hopkins Education Foundation. ICA stands strong with our community. It just proves that community partnerships are really how we can continue to respond and be reactive to what’s going on in our community today.”

“The story of #HopkinsStrong – from the urgency around launching it, to the incredible outpouring of support – is a testament to the power of community spirit,” said Wallace-Jackson. “It shows what ‘loving your neighbor’ is really about.”