Wayne Township Education Foundation Inc

Academic college scholarships awarded by wayne township education foundation (wtef) have become a significant program area in recent years. These scholarships are intended to provide both recognition of student achievement and modest support for students pursuing some level of post-secondary education. Wtef maintains 29 endowed funds, 28 of which have restricted purposes and 14 of which are designated as college scholarships. $46,545 was distributed in scholarship funds to 37 students. New this year were 6 scholarships awarded to current metropolitan school district of wayne township staff members pursuing a bachelors degree in education. These scholarships have the intention of addressing the teacher staffing shortage by "growing our own" teachers from within.

With support from several grant opportunities -- indiana association of public education foundations, hoover family foundation, and iu health, we supported the giants marketplace food pantry. Giants marketplace is a school-based food pantry servicing families whose children are enrolled in the metropolitan school district (msd) of wayne township. This program is done in partnership with gleaners community food bank. Currently, giants marketplace is a district-wide initiative focused on providing a more readily accessible source of food and personal hygiene items to students and their families. As a school-based initiative, the giants marketplace allows students and their families to have easier access to food assistance and feel more comfortable accessing this assistance. The giants marketplace operates on a monthly distribution basis. However, services can be rendered for families that need food and personal hygiene items immediately as needed, upon request to a school principal, social worker, school counselor, or parent liaison. The giants marketplace exists to help keep students in school by eliminating food insecurity as a barrier to educational attainment. The giants marketplace is accessible to eligible students, faculty, and staff during the school year, and food is provided at no charge. During 2024-25, wayne township education foundation funding supported both a community event and film screening regarding food insecurity in indiana and 730 families benefitted from 10-day food baskets.