A house fire can take everything in minutes. For one Lincoln family, it took most of their sons’ clothing. The everyday things nobody thinks about having until they’re gone. Their request to the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools wasn’t complicated or extravagant: a Walmart gift card, so two LPS students could have clean clothes again.
Sadly, the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools receives requests like this daily. Behind each one is a family navigating an unexpected crisis and a student trying to keep learning through it.
They reflect moments of sudden hardship that no family plans for. A house fire. A serious illness. A car accident. The loss of a job. When those moments happen, students often carry the weight of those hardships into the classroom.
The Foundation for LPS’ Student Emergency Fund exists to provide immediate assistance when unexpected circumstances threaten a student's ability to learn. Whether it's helping with groceries, rent, utility payments, transportation, clothing, or other basic needs, the goal is simple: remove barriers so students can stay focused on school while their families regain stability.
The Student Emergency Fund is serving more families than ever before.
During the 2025-2026 school year, the Foundation distributed more than $195,000 in emergency assistance, helping approximately 3,600 students and family members across Lincoln Public Schools. The amount distributed nearly doubled compared with the previous school year, reflecting the growing number of families experiencing financial hardship and unexpected crises.
Behind every request is a family doing everything they can to keep moving forward.
Two mothers walked to a family literacy class every day in flip-flops, even through the bitter cold of winter. They made sure their children had warm coats and boots, but went without themselves. Emergency assistance provided the winter clothing they needed, allowing them to continue attending classes that were helping them build a brighter future for their families.
Another request came after two students were placed in the care of their aunt. When she was seriously injured in a car accident and unable to work for several months, the Student Emergency Fund helped provide groceries while the family adjusted to their new circumstances.
These situations are reminders that hardship often arrives without warning. They also demonstrate how a timely act of support can keep a temporary crisis from becoming a long-term obstacle for a student.
“At the Foundation, we believe in caring for the whole child, not just the student inside the classroom. Because when students feel supported, they are better able to learn and pursue their dreams,” said Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools President Natalia Wiita.
As preparations begin for another school year, approximately $45,000 remains in the Student Emergency Fund. Every contribution helps ensure assistance is available when the next family faces the unexpected. Before the school year begins, the Foundation for LPS is working to grow the fund to $100,000 to meet the increasing need for emergency assistance.
A $50 gift can provide transportation to school with a gas gift card. A $100 gift can help put food on the table. A $200 gift can help a family stay current on rent or utilities during a difficult time.
To learn more about the Student Emergency Fund or make a gift, visit foundationforlps.org
