Putnam County students are organizing Thursday’s PEP Foundation PEP Rally to raise funds and awareness for families facing economic hardships and food insecurity.
PEP Foundation Executive Director Katelyn Steakley said the event will feature food, media, and decorations entirely produced by local high schoolers. The organization uses the annual gathering to support initiatives like the Backpack Program, which currently serves 878 students.
“Well, things are a little bit chaotic right now economically, and so for us, we really are focused on making sure that we have the funds and the resources to be able to provide the programs and services that we do here at the foundation,” Steakley said. “And so our main priority is just making sure that those resource needs are met and that the community knows about those needs so that they can help support those needs.”
Steakley said attendees arriving at noon will be greeted by cheerleaders, mascots, and a local band. Students from Monterey High School are designing the table and stage decor, while Cookeville High School culinary arts students are preparing the food.
“So it’s just really, really exciting and it’s an amazing event where you can really see like we have a great future ahead of us with our students,” Steakley said. “And the more students we support, the even greater future we’ll have here in Putnam County.”
Steakley said the foundation recently provided over $35,000 in assistance to families experiencing temporary major hardships. The organization also funds school care closets, instrument repairs for performing arts programs, and travel expenses for students attending national career and technical education competitions.
“And so the event is literally all done, created, and decorated and put together by students and basically for their fellow students, which is the real beauty in what the event kind of encapsulates as you come to see how it all comes together,” Steakley said.
Steakley said the number of children facing food insecurity has grown this school year, prompting the foundation to conduct frequent needs assessments with principals and school staff. To help bridge the gap between families and community resources, the organization recently launched a cookbook featuring affordable meals.
“I think that’s one of the major messages also of the PEP Foundation, is that we want to see the community involved in all the different ways in our local schools,” Steakley said.
Community members can find volunteer opportunities and RSVP for the event by visiting the foundation’s website.