The Ashland Schools Foundation (ASF) proudly announces its role as the fiscal sponsor for the Ashland High School (AHS) Interact Club, facilitating a $2,000 donation to the Ashland Community Food Bank. This donation was made possible through the students’ dedicated participation in the Oregon Bottle Drop Blue Bag program, with funds being presented last Thursday at the Rotary Club of Ashland meeting in Wesley Hall.
The collaboration between ASF, the AHS Interact Club, and the Ashland Community Food Bank highlights the power of community partnerships. With the Ashland Schools Foundation serving as a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, the Interact Club was able to take full advantage of the Oregon Bottle Drop program, which requires non-profit status to participate. Ashland Rotary club member, ASF supporter, and Interact Club advisor Alan DeBoer saw the opportunity for collaboration and put forth great effort to connect the organizations and get the project running.
“At the Ashland Schools Foundation, we are committed to supporting the initiatives of our students and empowering them to make a difference in our community,” said Erica Thompson, Executive Director of ASF. “When we were approached to provide fiscal sponsorship to the Interact Club, we were inspired by the ambitious spirit and leadership mindset of these students. We knew right away this endeavor was more than worthy of our support.”
The Ashland Community Food Bank, which has seen a significant increase in need over the past year, is deeply grateful for the support. “We’re actively making huge striving efforts to reach our youth and make sure they’re fed,” said Amey Broeker, Executive Director of the Ashland Community Food Bank. “Part of the Food Bank’s service is to provide food for local weekend backpack programs and contributions to the Southern Oregon University (SOU) Food Pantry. Funds like this make a huge difference.”
Leo Garcia, the lead student of the AHS Interact Club, emphasized the hard work and community involvement that went into making this donation possible. “We wanted to do something that would have a real impact,” said Garcia. “We spread the word about the Blue Bag program and made sure that bags were available all over town. It was amazing to see how our community came together to support this effort, and we’re proud to contribute to the Ashland Community Food Bank.”
The check presentation at the Rotary Club of Ashland meeting underscores the importance of community collaboration. The Rotary Club of Ashland has a long-standing tradition of fostering partnerships that bring together diverse groups to address local needs. “This is a perfect example of how our Rotary Club helps to create opportunities for collaboration,” said Melissa Anderson, president of the Rotary Club of Ashland. “By connecting organizations like ASF, the AHS Interact Club, and the Ashland Community Food Bank, we can multiply the impact we have on our community.”
