The cornerstone program of The PEP Foundation is its Backpack Program
Over the past three years, The Putnam Education Partnership (PEP) Foundation, a nonprofit supporting the Putnam County School System (TN) well known for its Backpack Program, has significantly transformed its programs and funding initiatives. The foundation has adapted to meet the evolving needs of local students while working to align with the goals of the Putnam County School System (PCSS).
On a Mission
In an era marked by unprecedented challenges, particularly in the wake of the devastating tornadoes in March 2020 and the subsequent impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Putnam Education Partnership (PEP) Foundation recalibrated its mission to support and provide additional resources for the Putnam County School System (PCSS) in its efforts to meet the needs of local students.
“Our mission is clear: we want to remove barriers for students to ensure they can focus on their success,” says Executive Director Katelyn Steakley. “This objective has become increasingly urgent as Putnam County struggles with housing affordability issues and food insecurity.”
Steakley understands the need.
“We know the need is real,” continued Steakley. “Putnam County recently ranked 90th in Tennessee in the Child Wellbeing County Profiles for housing affordability. This explains why families are struggling to meet basic needs, experiencing financial hardships, and why 1 in 5 elementary school students are enrolled in our BackPack Program due to experiencing food insecurity.”
Pictured above from l. to r.: Corby King, Director of Putnam County Schools and PEP Board Member; Lisa Bumbalough, PEP Board Member; Rafferty Cleary, Vice President of PEP Board; Katelyn Steakley, Executive Director of PEP Foundation. On right, from l. to r.: Tuesday business council members Mike McCloud, Jay Albrecht, Britt Akers and Matt Manzaro.
Expanding Program Offerings
The cornerstone program of The PEP Foundation is its Backpack Program, which combats food insecurity among students. Since 2011, the program has provided weekly food bags filled with nutritious items to students experiencing food insecurity.
“This year, we are serving over 830 students in 14 schools through our food bags and food pantries,” Steakley shared. “This program allows students to have access to meals over the weekend when school meals are not available and helps alleviate nutritional gaps which can inhibit brain development for students.”
The foundation has also launched new initiatives to support and expand upon the work started through the Backpack Program.
“It became increasingly apparent that there were many other opportunities to meet the needs of students,” Steakley explained. “This realization led us to expand our focus areas and align our mission with the goals of PCSS.”
In 2022, The PEP Foundation introduced its Student Needs Fund, providing financial assistance to families experiencing temporary hardships that could impact educational outcomes for students. The following year, in 2023, the foundation launched its Future Ready Fund, which includes Performing Arts Grants and launched Student Needs Drives.
In its initial phase, the Performing Arts Grants helped PCSS middle schools purchase uniforms, materials, and instruments for economically disadvantaged students, and multiple programs served to see a 100% retention of financially disadvantaged students. Meanwhile, the organization’s Student Needs Drives worked to pair organizations or businesses needing service projects with specific unmet needs, such as restocking food pantries and collecting hygiene items.
This year, The PEP Foundation further expanded its Student Needs Drive initiatives by launching the “Stuff the Bus” event, aimed at helping PCSS schools stock their Care Closets during the back-to-school season.
“Our Student Needs Drives bring essential resources to schools and increase community engagement,” Steakley noted.
The organization collected and distributed over 3,000 items to PCSS schools and their care closets at the start of this school year.
Growth and Community Support
As The PEP Foundation expanded its programs, securing funding became and remains increasingly essential. Over the past three years, the foundation has experienced an increase in financial support, thanks in part to innovative fundraising efforts such as the “PEP Rally,” “Stuff the Bus,” and “150 Giving $150” campaigns.
One notable success was the recent donation PEP received from Tuesday Business Council, which was provided through their annual Golf Tournament. In one day, the group raised an impressive $4,000 for the foundation. Representatives from the council recently presented a check to PEP board members during a recent check presentation.
“It was a great honor to be able to support the work of The PEP Foundation; as a group of locally minded business owners, the decision was unanimous in supporting the mission as part of our annual fundraiser,” said Council member Mike McCloud.
The funds from the golf tournament will boost the Foundation’s Student Needs Fund and help support its other initiatives, allowing PEP to reach even more students in need.
Looking Ahead
As the Putnam Education Partnership Foundation moves forward, its leadership remains committed to listening to the needs of the PCSS and adapting its programs. With plans to expand their Future Ready Fund further, PEP hopes to help students with basic needs and invest in their achievement.
In a time when educational support is more critical than ever, PEP serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the power of community collaboration and innovative programming. The foundation’s ongoing evolution reflects its responsiveness to local needs and its unwavering commitment to ensuring that every child in Putnam County has the resources they need to thrive.
For more information about the PEP Foundation and its initiatives or how your business can support PEP in meeting student needs, visit www.peptn.org or contact Katelyn Steakley at katelyn.steakley@pcsstn.com.
Photo courtesy of PEP.
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