NEGAUNEE — Miners Share, a donation program affiliated with Negaunee Public Schools, is looking for donations to help fund programs that serve underprivileged students in the district.

“If you look back at your time at NPS, your fondest memories are likely woven into the everyday traditions that defined our culture — the little things that make school days special,” said Theresa Rinehart and Jonica McCarthy, NHS class of 1976 alums who volunteer for Miners Share, in a letter to other Negaunee alumni.

“As alumni, we carry those memories with us,” said Rinehart and McCarthy’s letter. “However, too many of our young Miners currently experience severe food insecurity, wondering if they will have enough to eat over the weekend.”

Last year, Negaunee Public Schools was able to distribute weekend food packs, called Miner Packs, to 230 students. However, this cost the district roughly $15,000 in funding, and continuing to fund the program has presented a challenge.

“This year, we are launching Miners Share to unite our alumni network and take care of our own,” said Rinehart and McCarthy. “Our absolute priority is ensuring our Miner Packs weekend food program is fully funded for the year. We cannot expand our reach until we guarantee today’s students do not go hungry.”

Once funding has been secured for Miner Packs, Miners Share is looking to find other ways of supporting local students.

“The remaining balance of the Miners Share fund will directly cover things like yearbooks, school pictures, book fair and popcorn tokens for those same students — ensuring no child is left out of the school culture we got to enjoy,” said Rinehart and McCarthy.

To protect student privacy, school staff would handle all distributions anonymously.

“We are asking our fellow alumni to help us keep the Miner spirit alive,” said Rinehart and McCarthy. “Any amount is welcome, but here are some examples of how your tax-deductible gift makes a difference: $15 buys popcorn tokens for a student for the school year, $20 ensures a student can purchase school pictures to share with friends and family; $120 provides a weekend Miner Pack for one student for an entire school year; $250 feeds a student for the year and ensures they are fully included in all school milestones.”

For more information on how to donate, those interested can visit negauneeschools.org/donations. Checks can be made out to NPS, with the memo “Miners Share,” and mailed to Diane Faust, 200 Croix St., Negaunee, MI 49866.

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.