CARTHAGE, Mo. — The family of Matt and Tracy Flanigan has once again rewarded the Carthage School District with their generosity. A $200,000 award was presented to the school board and administration, as well as Bright Futures Director, Kim Hoover, Monday night during the board of education meeting. A follow-up to the $1,000,000 gift given almost three years ago to the day, this newest contribution targets the food needs of high school students, grades 9-12.
Matt Flanigan credits his wife, Tracy’s, and daughter, Anne’s, work with the Bright Futures program for many years as the catalyst for the award. Designated for grades k-8, the original donation was meant to serve the dietary needs of children that might not receive meals during the weekend when they are not attending school. “Tracy reminded me that the students’ needs don’t stop once they get to the ninth grade,” Flanigan stated. “We want to continue to support Kim’s (Hoover) and the rest of the high school’s work in ensuring that these children with needs are fed during the weekend.”
The backpack food program offers a discreet way to meet the food needs of hungry children within the Carthage school district. Students at the high school are able to contact a staff member and receive their food items at a time convenient for them before they head home for the weekend. “We are incredibly grateful to Matt and Tracy for their generosity,” stated Bright Futures Director, Kim Hoover. “Their donation will make a lasting difference in the lives of our students,” said Hoover.
The donation was, once again, a welcome gift from the Flanigan family. “Matt and Tracy love to surprise us on the fly with their generosity,” stated Crystal Brown, Director of the R-9 School Foundation. “We never know what they are up to until we get a phone call or email. Getting to know them over the years has shown me not only the kindness that they possess, but how they genuinely care for the kids in our community.”
The Carthage R-9 School Foundation accepted this donation for the purpose of establishing an endowment specifically for Carthage High School students grades 9-12 participating in the backpack food program. The goal is for this program to continue on in perpetuity, as the principal for the fund grows and interest and dividends supply a monthly stipend for the backpack program. We thank the Flanigan family for their generosity!
