Serving Quietly * Supporting Quietly * Helping Quietly
The Critical Needs Program Supports...
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The intent of the Critical Needs Program is to enable school staff to respond quickly and quietly to students they see in need and to students who ask for help.
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Your donation to the Emergency Lunch Fund will help ensure that every child has access to a nutritious school lunch alongside their peers, regardless of their financial situation. Your donation will truly impact a child!
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Fargo Public Schools, in collaboration with the Foundation ensures that no elementary student will go without milk at snack break. These funds helps cover milk or juice costs for elementary students and makes sure snacks are readily available for children whose families may be struggling.
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The Husky Hutch helps elementary students and families across the District with basic necessities such as hygiene supplies, shoes, clothing and winter weather gear. This program was created to help those families who may just need a helping hand to get through a tough week or month.
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Liz’s Closet is a quiet and confidential location in middle school buildings where students who need items such as non-perishable food, hygiene supplies, clothing or other basic needs can receive support. Any student in need can come to Liz’s Closet and take what they need – no questions asked.
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The Fargo Davies Eagle Cupboard provides emergency assistance to Davies students in need. Students are welcome to choose from a variety of grocery items, an assortment of hygiene products and various school supplies. Help is free and confidential.
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Fargo North's ‘Open Door’ is a hybrid food pantry and free clothing room for students in need. Students have access to basic necessities such as food, toiletry items, shoes, clothing, and a helping hand.
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Fargo South staff are volunteering their time and resources to run the Bruin Food Pantry to provide students and their families with access to emergency food and essential items.
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The Source is a collaboration between Dakota High School and Fargo School District’s Student Wellness and Family Facilitators program to provide anonymous and confidential food, clothing, and basic needs to students and their families at no cost to them. The Source is housed at the Agassiz building and is accessible to any student/family in the district if their home school is unable to support their current needs.
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The Homeless Program is an effort to assist students in our public schools who are identified as experiencing homelessness, and to ensure that children and youth who are homeless have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as provided to all other students. Your generosity is vital to making a difference in every child’s life.
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The Washington Elementary PTA has established the Washington Helping Washington Fund to ensure that children and families have access to the support and resources they need to thrive and find success at school.
Vires acquirit eundo!
“We gather strength as we go.”
The Critical Needs Program, organized by the Fargo Public Schools Foundation, exists to ensure that every student who needs help with basic necessities receives it—quietly, respectfully, and without hesitation. This program empowers school staff to respond swiftly when they notice a student in need or when a student bravely asks for help. By supporting the Critical Needs Program, you are directly helping students and the staff who serve them every day.
Thanks to generous community support, the Critical Needs Program has enabled school personnel to assist with school supplies, emergency food cupboard situations, hygiene products, clothing, and other essentials that support the emotional, physical, and educational well-being of our students. These resources help reduce economic stress on families and allow students to focus on learning.
What our educators are saying:
“Being able to buy snacks for students, because without it, some of them just cannot learn. It takes their thoughts away from not having food so they can focus on their learning.”
— Elementary School Principal
“When students are in need of school supplies, hygiene products, clothing, shoes, etc., we are able to almost immediately meet that need. Because of Liz’s Closet and Critical Needs funding, we can discreetly provide these resources and help minimize the embarrassment a student may feel when they do not have what they need to feel successful.”
— Middle School Counselor
“We had a new student join us mid-year. He didn’t have any school supplies, and through the Critical Needs Program we were able to get him a backpack filled with everything he needed. Having these supplies on hand was invaluable, it allowed us to support this student’s education and show him that he is welcomed and cared for.”
— High School Principal
The Fargo Public Schools Foundation is deeply grateful for your compassion and commitment. Your support of the Critical Needs Program strengthens our students, their families, and the staff who stand beside them.
