Dickinson ISD donates $21,697 to M.I. Lewis Social Service Center through annual “Money for Meals” community service project
Gators give back in big ways all the time, and they showed up once again in a big way for the 2022 Dickinson ISD "Money for Meals" district-wide community service project for the M.I. Lewis Social Service Center. A tremendous $21,697 in monetary donations was raised, which far surpassed last year's donation of $16,000.
"We are Gator proud of our campuses for finding creative ways to raise money for M.I. Lewis. Thank you to our students, parents, and employees for digging deep to help families in need within our own community, especially during the upcoming holiday season," said Superintendent Carla Voelkel.
The money raised will go a long way to providing food and meeting the needs of Dickinson ISD families. For every $1 donated, the center can purchase $10 worth of food through a partnership with the Galveston County Food Bank. In addition, the monetary donations allow the center to purchase perishable food items to provide to those in need. M.I. Lewis also uses monetary donations to provide emergency assistance to clients.
"In 2022, we have served over 11,000 neighbors with emergency assistance; this is double what we served in 2021. The funding raised through Money for Meals will directly impact our DISD families facing food, rent, and utility emergencies," said Angelica Hanley, Executive Director of the M.I. Lewis Social Service Center. "On behalf of the M.I. Lewis staff, Board of Directors and volunteers we say thank you to everyone at DISD. We are grateful for this long-standing partnership!"
For the past 24 years, Dickinson ISD students, parents, and employees have been supporting the M.I. Lewis Social Service Center through an annual community service project. This project started as a "Stuff the Bus" food drive but transitioned several years ago to a "Money for Meals" monetary drive.
Special recognition this year goes out to the three Dickinson ISD middle schools for raising a combined $9,900, which is nearly half of the money raised. Lobit Middle School came out on top both among the middle schools and districtwide with a donation of $3,919.
Dickinson ISD students, parents, and employees donated $21,697 to the M.I. Lewis Social Service Center through the annual “Money for Meals” community service project. Pictured at the presentation are, left to right, Dickinson ISD Director of Communications Tammy Dowdy, M.I. Lewis Social Service Center Executive Director Angelica Hanley, and Dickinson ISD Superintendent Carla Voelkel.