Students and families in the Wright City R-II School District have been reaping the benefits of the Care to Learn program for the past three years.Since its introduction, the Springfield, Mo.-based nonprofit organization has helped supply all things health, hunger and hygiene related to those in need. Kelly Brooks, coordinator for the R-II program, says the funding provided through Care to Learn assures students have their primary needs met so they are free to focus on education.It is particularly helpful during the holiday season to make certain students and families are comfortable and fed.The Wright City Middle School completed an aggressive fundraising effort during the month of October, pulling together $2,000 for fellow students. The winning teams were given the reward of making ice cream sundaes.So how is this money making a difference in the community?Brooks says the options are pretty wide open as long as they pertain to the health, hygiene or hunger of a student.“We’ve purchased medication or provided support for students who needed to go to the doctor or needed glasses,” said Brooks. “We buy a lot of clothes for families through vouchers from Walmart.”With many students struggling to be present in the classroom due to concerns at home, Care to Learn bridges that gap and helps them focus on learning instead of survival needs.“The idea behind Care to Learn is we take care of their needs so they can come to school with clean clothes or not hungry, because we were able to provide snacks or supplies for them,” said Brooks.In some cases students have adequate clothing but the family doesn’t have a washer or the utilities necessary to keep the clothing clean. Since it relates to hygiene, Care to Learn is able to provide support.And now with the holidays nearing, Care to Learn will be working to make certain no student goes without a meal for Thanksgiving or Christmas.“We also do meals at Christmastime where counselors pick families in the school that might need help with food over the holidays,” said Brooks. “We go buy them a Christmas meal.”Last year Care to Learn purchased Christmas dinner for 10 families in the district.Care to Learn is funded by a variety of fundraisers, including bingo and trivia night, as well as a dunking booth at Strassenbash.Wright City Middle School