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Foundation for Central Schools reports record scholarship applications and expands food, clothing supports
Summary
The Foundation for Central Schools told trustees it will award 26 scholarships this year, expanded clothing closets across multiple campuses, and that the district food pantry helped roughly 80 households in the month; the Foundation’s annual scholarship dinner is April 3 at Pardini’s.
The Foundation for Central Schools updated the Central Unified Board of Trustees on Feb. 25 about a record year for scholarships and expanded community services, including clothing closets and a school‑district food pantry that district staff say has helped roughly 80 households in the last month.
Serena Dohee, executive director of the Foundation for Central Schools, told trustees the foundation received 178 scholarship applications this year and will award 26 scholarships to a mix of graduating seniors, district employees and alumni. She said the 26 scholarships represent growth from six scholarships five years ago and invited trustees to the awards ceremony on April 3 at Pardini’s.
Dohee also described a network of clothing closets the foundation has supported: Houghton Kearney K‑8 has provided over 100 clothing items to students and neighboring campuses this school year; Central East operates a career clothing closet that has helped more than 70 students with items for job interviews and senior photos; Steinbeck Elementary’s closet has assisted more than 35 students. Dohee said the clothing items are new and provided to students as first owners.
On food support, Dohee and Student and Family Services staff said the district pantry shifted to appointment‑based shopping and has provided about 1–2 cartons of eggs, a meat/frozen item, two loaves of bread, 10–15 nonperishables and fresh produce to participating households. She said the district is piloting an online ordering platform for pantry pickup and will continue to partner with Family Outreach Liaisons for delivery or appointment scheduling.
Joe Doylan, president of the Foundation board, thanked trustees for supporting the foundation’s staffing and programs and urged continued board engagement.
Trustee Carrillo and others thanked Dohee and Doylan for the foundation’s work and asked about accessibility for families using the pantry and the new online platform; Dohee and Student and Family Services representatives said family outreach liaisons will help families make appointments and the district will provide deliveries when needed.
