Care to Learn adds 10 school chapters in Stone, Taney counties

In partnership with Silver Dollar City Foundation Inc., Care to Learn will soon expand to serve more than 12,000 students in Stone and Taney counties.

The Springfield-based nonprofit already has a foothold in Bradleyville, Hollister, Hurley and Reeds Spring.

New chapters will open in 10 additional school districts – Blue Eye, Branson, Crane, Galena, Kirbyville, Mark Twain, Shell Knob, Spokane, Taneyville and Forsyth – by the end of the 2025-26 year.

Officials with Care to Learn, Silver Dollar City and its foundation announced the Together for Kids partnership, and its intended impact, during an April 9 event at the Riverfront Playhouse, on the grounds of the Branson amusement park.

“Silver Dollar City Foundation has already shown a deep commitment to students,” said Krystal Simon, CEO of Care to Learn, in a news release. “This partnership will extend that commitment beyond the classroom into the daily lives of students, ensuring they are ready to learn. Together, we can remove barriers to education for thousands of children and build a brighter future for students.”

By working together, the nonprofit and foundation will support new or expand existing chapters in a total of 14 districts in Stone and Taney counties.

“For 20 years, Silver Dollar City Foundation has been empowering educators to meet the physical needs of students,” said Mindy Honey, executive director of Silver Dollar City Foundation, in the release.

“This partnership means we'll continue to meet those needs and many more. This partnership is about ensuring our area educators have the resources and funding they need so when they see a need, they can meet a need.”

Andrea Harp, director of marketing, said the nonprofit and foundation are working together to provide $300,000 in startup funding for the 10 new chapters.

The Care to Learn model empowers teachers and school staff to identify and quickly meet the emergent health, hunger and hygiene needs in students. The resources are then provided anonymously, protecting student confidentiality, according to the nonprofit.

Care to Learn partners with more than 55 districts. With support from the nonprofit, each chapter raises community support to provide resources.

Since 2008, Care to Learn has met more than 4.6 million needs such as coats, toothbrushes, and meals. The nonprofit also helps with emergency dental needs, prescriptions, mental health services and adaptive devices such as power chairs and hearing aids.

Founded in 1996, Silver Dollar City Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Silver Dollar City Parks and Resorts.