Student-led Philanthropic Effort Benefits Local Charities
Students in Moore Public Schools raised more than $320,000 this school year through Moore Love, the district’s student-led philanthropic campaign. All three high schools, along with their respective feeder elementary schools and junior highs, host events and activities to raise funds in what Superintendent Dr. Robert Romines described as “a friendly competition” meant to unite the district.
“We are known for Moore War and our athletic events,” Romines explained. “Moore Love is a play on that but with a focus on our local community.”
In addition to leading fundraising activities, students are also responsible for selecting the beneficiaries each year. They review nonprofit applications, conduct interviews and ultimately decide where the funds will be distributed.
“The kids go through the nonprofits’ applications and conduct interviews,” Romines said. “They have a say in where the money goes, and they manage it from start to finish.”
Moore Love was launched during the 2017-18 school year to address a funding shortfall for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s MPS Backpack for Kids program. The program provides weekend meals for students in need.
“Funding resources were depleting, and we wanted to create a funding source to ensure the program could continue,” Romines explained.
By the second year, students were able to raise more money than what was needed for the food program and began expanding support to additional local nonprofits.
“We more than tripled what we raised that first year,” Romines said.
Since its inception, Moore Love has raised more than $1.5 million. The Backpack for Kids program continues to be one of the annual beneficiaries.
For more information about Moore Love and this year’s nonprofit recipients, visit mooreschools. com/about-us/moore-love.
2024-25 Moore Love efforts raised:
- $131K for the Building Bridges campaign through Moore Public Schools Foundation
- $60K for Moore Police Foundation’s Safety Town
- $60K for Moore Faith Medical Clinic’s dental clinic
- $44K for Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s MPS Backpack for Kids program
- $25K for Fostering Sweet Dreams
– SMS
By Lindsay Cuomo
