Meriwether Co Rotary Club awarded a $7000 Community Grant

The Rotary Club of Meriwether County has been awarded a $7,000 grant from the Rotary Foundation and Rotary District 6900 Competitive Grant for the 2025-2026 period. This funding will support the Meriwether County School System’s Wraparound Care Centers located within schools.

The Wraparound Care Centers provide effective school- and community-based services to enhance students' ability to succeed by addressing the complex barriers of out-of-school challenges that affect in-school learning. The centers aim to ensure equitable access to shelf-stable food, hygiene products, school supplies, clothing, laundry facilities, health services, counseling services, computer access, academic support, and mentor programs for students in all grades (K-12). Since schools are natural community hubs, it makes sense for them to serve as centers for community support services as well.

These centers are particularly beneficial for families who appreciate the convenience of having services available within the schools. This dual-use of school facilities also demonstrates to local taxpayers that the schools contribute to the community's well-being in multiple ways. Access to the resources provided by the centers can empower students to improve their family relationships, enhance their sense of belonging, and connect with needed services.

One of the main benefits of the Wraparound Care Centers is improved student attendance, behavior, academic achievement, and graduation rates. By providing essential support services, schools can address students' needs, thereby increasing the likelihood that they remain engaged in academic learning.

The Wraparound Care Centers are located at Manchester High School and Greenville Middle/High School. These high school centers offer access to hygiene products, a food pantry, health services, school supplies, a clothing closet, laundry facilities, college and career counseling, a computer lab, mental health services, and a student mentorship program. Meanwhile, Manchester Middle School, Unity Elementary School, and Mountain View Elementary School feature Care Closets that provide clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, and counseling services.

The grant funds will be used to purchase school supplies, food for the food pantry, personal products (including feminine hygiene items), shirts, pants, shoes, socks, and other essentials for the clothing closet.

The Rotary Foundation offers grants to support various projects, scholarships, and training initiatives undertaken by Rotary members worldwide. Participating in district grants gives Rotarians a sense of ownership and the satisfaction of knowing they have made a difference in someone's life. Rotary District grants can serve as building blocks; they enable clubs to start on a small scale and grow projects to better meet the community's needs.