Bread Shed's ABC program gets $10,000 grant

A nationwide grant was awarded to a Poplar Bluff non-profit group to help keep area school children’s stomachs full and, in turn, their minds focused on learning.

The Bread Shed was one of 150 organizations in the country to receive a $10,000 grant from the Joy in Childhood Foundation.

“A $10,000 grant is humongous for us,” Jim Ward of the Bread Shed said. “We were super fortunate to be chosen because of how few were chosen.”

The opportunity was brought to Ward by Poplar Bluff Baskin-Robbins owner Charles Hampton as a grant from his franchise.

“The grant was for a children-specific program,” Hampton said. “The deadline was close, but I thought someone around here should apply for it.”

The Joy in Childhood Foundation, which is powered by Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins, brings the simple joys of childhood to kids battling hunger or illness.

Funding from the grant will support the Bread Shed’s ABC (A Better Childhood) program which partners with Poplar Bluff schools to identify children and their families who will benefit from receiving extra food each month.

Once families are identified, an ABC “ticket” is sent home with each child as an invitation and pass to come to the Bread Shed on a designated day to receive a box of free groceries. The items range from fresh meat, produce, eggs, baked goods and pantry items.

“We are thankful Chuck thought of us when he saw that grant opportunity with his franchise,” Ward said.

With only 10 days to submit the grant application, Hampton encouraged the group to “give it a shot.”

While driving in St. Louis this past November, Hampton said he received a phone call from Ward.

“Hey, remember when you told me about that grant,” Hampton recalled Ward saying. “We got it!”

Already surprised the group was able to collect all the information needed to apply in the short time, Hampton said he assumed the Bread Shed received $500 or maybe $1,000 from the grant.

“It’s just the craziest thing, we got $10,000,” Ward told Hampton.

Even more shocked at this point, Hampton said he offered his congratulations and replied, “that’s crazy!”

“I didn’t do anything all that special,” Hampton said. “I just wanted to let everyone know this was available and somebody needs to try and take advantage of it and see what it can do. I’m glad to see (the Bread Shed) did.”

Each year, Baskin-Robbins hosts a nationwide fundraiser where customers donate $1 and their names are displayed in the shop. The money then goes to the Joy in Childhood Foundation.

During his past four years at the helm of the Poplar Bluff location, Hampton said he is asked each year if the money donated stays local.

“I would tell customers I doubt it,” he said. “So now I can tell people it’s going to help someone around here.”

The grant was centered around children and that is exactly who the ABC program assists.

Partnering with the SEMO Food Bank, the truck of food distributed costs about $850 each month.

“That leaves us about $200 in the bank,” Ward said. “Now we don’t have to worry about paying the food bank this month.”

According to Diane Jones, a guidance counselor with the Poplar Bluff R-1 School District, up to 500 children are fed each month thanks to the ABC program.

Receiving $10,000 will go a long way for the program and really help, she said.

“This is why the Bread Shed exists period,” Ward said. “Because of children in our local schools and hunger.”

The Bread Shed made the transition from the Backpack program, which would send non-perishable items home with students for the weekend, to ABC.

ABC is less expensive, takes place 11 months rather than eight months and students receive more variety and amounts of food.

“It’s really amazing they are getting fresh fruits and other foods we couldn’t send home with backpacks,” Jones said. “They are also getting a lot more food.”

Volunteers from the community come together to distribute the food to families once a month including the Poplar Bluff Graduation Center, Crossroads Ministry and Sierra Osage.

“We get to see the people, meet people and interact,” Ward said during the monthly distributions. “It’s upbeat, friendly and a great opportunity for everyone to work together.”

Hampton looks forward to helping other groups in the area when new grants become available next year.

“Every year there are different grants and applications, but I will definitely tell groups in the area to look at them,” Hampton said. “It’s very possible that even Poplar Bluff, Missouri will get it.”

The Bread Shed received a grant from the Joy in Childhood Foundation for $10,000. Baskin-Robbins Owner Charles Hampton passed word of the opportunity from his franchise on to the Bread Shed. From left Katie Redwine, Sidney Eagle, Chloe Osborne, Lynette Hampton, Hampton, Bread Shed Treasurer Cheryl Baker, Bre Hampton, Brook-Lyn Romine and Jessie Hampton celebrate news of the Bread Shed being selected. Photo provided