Prescott Unified School District leaders told the governing board on Jan. 14 that a series of recent private gifts will expand direct supports for students and families, including paying off outstanding student lunch debt, creating a small assistance fund for fees and providing an estate gift expected to sustain the district’s weekend food program for more than a decade.

Mr. Tenney, speaking during the summary of current events, said an anonymous donor — described as a family from out of state — contacted the district about outstanding lunch debt, learned the total was “just north of $1,500,” and offered to pay it. The donor provided $25,100 so the district could clear lunch debt and place roughly $900 in a fund to help families with fee-based activities (lab fees, pay-to-play, field trips). Tenney described the donation as intended to remain anonymous and said district staff contacted every family affected.

Separately, Tenney said a local family identified as the Lucas family, who had donated in prior years, sent a new $50,000 unrestricted gift to be used where needed most. Tenney said the donation is not a material change to the district’s $38 million annual budget but will allow flexibility for targeted projects.

Board members and staff also described an estate gift from the late June Ruth that flows to one of the district’s partner charities that supports the district-run weekend food program (the “Hungry Kids Project”). Tenney said the bequest totaled “over $216,000” and, based on district estimates, could fund the weekend food bags for 12–15 years without additional fundraising; the funds are managed outside the district but the district helps facilitate the program.

During presentations earlier in the meeting the board recognized Judy Stencil for organizing the Winter Wellness Fair; Tenney and other speakers said 146 PUSD children received gifts through that event and families were connected with coats, shoes and community referrals via family resource centers.

Superintendent-level staff said the large gifts are being processed through the Education Foundation or Family Resource Center as appropriate and that the district will provide more formal accounting in next month’s donation report. Board and staff members thanked donors and community volunteers for the assistance to families.