The historic Roosevelt High School community campaign to meet a $100,000 match for essential student support is racing to its Dec. 31 deadline. An anonymous Roosevelt alumnus has pledged to match all donations up to $100,000 in hopes of raising a total of $200,000 for the school.
The Roosevelt High School Alumni Association (RHSAA) is organizing the campaign that has already raised nearly $40,000. The volunteer-nonprofit funds academic scholarships and grants to the school music, theater, debate, dance, athletic teams and other extra-curriculars.
This December the RHSAA will allow donors to direct their contributions to emergency food support for students during the holidays in light of federal cutbacks. Cuts to N/NE Portland food banks and to SNAP funding have thrown families of many Roosevelt High School students into crisis.
“Folks can specifically donate to supporting RHS families and see the bonus of their donation matched after the end of the year,” said RHSAA spokesperson Megan Hall.
Volunteers will help the RHS Social Work Team and local organizations with food donations and purchases to provide food boxes for more than 150-plus families. The team has been “working overtime and absolutely slammed doing everything they can to help families,” Hall said.
The campaign also hopes to purchase winter clothing and healthy food in the school’s snack pantry for students either hungry because they are growing teenagers or because of lack of food at home.