September 2025
Fueling student success this school year
The first month of school is almost in the books. The hallways are buzzing with energy, backpacks are filled with possibility, and students are stepping into classrooms ready to learn and grow.
At the Edmonton Public Schools Foundation, we know this excitement is only possible when every student feels supported and prepared. Thanks to the generosity of our community, thousands of students are stepping into classrooms with the supports, confidence, and encouragement they need to thrive.
A big THANK YOU from our team!
This month, Edmontonians came together in incredible ways to support students:
Our back-to-school Fueling Futures campaign didn’t just meet its goal—it surpassed it! Together, we raised $11,186 to support students this school year.
Additionally, our Pack the Pack school supplies drive at Kingsway Mall was an immense success! Over 1,600 school supplies, including backpacks, binders, notebooks, paper, and pencils, were donated. These supplies are already helping students start their year strong.
A special thank you to Kingsway Mall for making Pack the Pack an overwhelming success!
Help us continue the momentum: the impact of monthly giving
Every gift makes a difference, but monthly giving creates lasting impact.
When you become a monthly donor, you help consistently support students throughout the year. Your generosity can mean new books, essential technology, or mental health resources for students who need them most. Month after month, you are supporting students to have what they need to succeed.
September is Hunger Action Month
Across Canada, September is recognized as Hunger Action Month, a time to raise awareness about food insecurity and to inspire our communities to act.
Through our Top-ups for Tummies initiative, we work in partnership with schools to ensure that students who need it most receive healthy, nutritious meals and snacks during the school day.
Our schools know first-hand that proper nutrition connects to learning readiness, cognitive development, emotional stability, and creating safe, caring school communities. However, our support to schools is only made possible by you, our generous donors.
When you support Top-ups for Tummies, you provide stable, reliable funding that ensures school nutrition programs are always there when students need them most. Your support fuels brighter futures—one meal, one day, one student at a time.
>>Join us today and help ensure every child has the nourishment they need to succeed.
Want to hear more?
Check out the Edmonton Community Foundation’s Podcast titled “Brain Food”, where we sat down and talked about all things School Nutrition and Top-ups for Tummies!
Meet Our Board: Judy Welch
What inspires our Board Members to champion the Foundation? We asked them to share the heart behind their support, and their stories are too powerful not to share. Stay tuned as we spotlight their voices over the coming months!
About Judy
Judy is a retired Edmonton Public Schools principal with a career rooted in supporting students and strengthening public education. She holds a Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education from the University of Calgary and has long been a champion of early intervention programs that help children thrive from the very beginning.
Now retired, Judy stays active by walking, attending dance fitness classes, spending time with her grandchildren, and connecting with her book club.
We’re grateful for Judy’s wisdom, experience, and continued commitment to student success.
Q: Why do you believe it’s important to invest in students beyond the classroom?
“Students of today will be our citizens of tomorrow. They will need to be well-educated, critical thinkers who create a positive future for all.”