Thanks to a recent district food drive and generous community donations, Bulldog families received meals during the holidays.

Before the break, 400 meal kits were distributed to 200 families across the district, according to a news release. These were packed and distributed by volunteers from Key Club, TOP Club, and National Honor Society, as well as C2C and school personnel.

The effort was led by MPS social worker Kelsey Louder Kirchhoff, who saw the weeks leading up to winter break as a critical time for families who rely on school meals.

“Enjoying time with loved ones is so important,” Kirchhoff said in the release. “By providing extra food before and during winter break, our hope was to ease financial stress and give families more space to enjoy time together and make lasting memories.”

To help stretch food budgets through the holiday break, volunteers showed up to gather an additional three to four family meals for 18 participating households, including breakfast items and snacks. District staff volunteers rolled up their sleeves to sort, pack, and distribute the family meal kits, including Kelsey and Mark Kirchhoff, Becca Bates, Jennifer Barnett, Amiee Blackburn, and Christina McCaw.

The food drive was made possible through donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations. The district is grateful for the support of Bright Futures Mexico, Bank of Missouri, ADM, Nancy Baca - State Farm, Audrain Co Emergency Management, Continental Products, and the Missouri National Guard, whose generosity helped ensure families had nutritious options during the break.

If a business or organization would like to support students or staff at Mexico Public Schools, they can email communications@mexico.k12.mo.us or call the Central Office at 573-581-3773 to be connected with a Bulldog point person who can help make a difference.