McCOOK, Neb. -- Everyone’s world has been turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic but maybe none so more than our young people.
Students no longer have a regular school schedule and are not able to see their friends on a daily basis. They may not have access to regular meals. And they may have difficulty accessing the internet, now a necessity to complete their homework.
But McCook schools have been working to alleviate some of these issues with funding from McCook Community Foundation Fund’s new COVID-19 Response Account.
Over the past month, MCFF has provided three grants to McCook Public Schools to help with specific issues during this crisis.
Technology
With nearly all learning taking place online right now, the need for technology is greater than ever. And while the McCook High School students all have Chromebooks -- similar to a laptop -- individually assigned, the McCook Junior High and Central Elementary students either used the devices during school or checked the laptops out on an as-needed basis.
While some families have their own devices at home, many do not and that is where a grant from MCFF came into play. A $8,500 MCFF grant will help purchase 30 Chromebooks to be used by students at home.
“With E-Learning abruptly changing our instructional practices, our equity gap among our kids seemed to be magnified,” said Joel Bednar, Central Principal/Curriculum Director, McCook Public Schools. “We realized the need for more Chromebooks to distribute for E-Learning and to utilize within our classrooms when schools resumes.”
Bednar added, “We want all students to have the same access and learning opportunities. Using these devices will allow kids to see/hear their teachers and have the organized social interactions that is clearly needed during E-Learning days.”
Nutrition
While school is generally thought of a place for education, it also serves as a place where some kids may get their only complete meal of the day. And the demand is being met by the school’s nutrition program in unprecedented numbers.
According to McCook Public School Business Manger John Brazell, the McCook Junior High kitchen was designed to serve around 400 Jr/Sr high school students on a regular school day. “Currently, we are serving more than 700 breakfasts and 700 lunches per day in our drive up grab-n-go service,” Brazil said.
Preparing the increased number of meals has stretched the capacity of the kitchen and especially the storage of all of the prepared meals.
The McCook Community Foundation Fund has provided $17,500 in funding to purchase carts, which will provide additional storage and will allow the staff to roll them out to the delivery site at the junior high. The carts are designed to be used for either hot or cold foods and will maintain the temperature of the meals for longer.
“This will be extremely important as the daily temperatures rise as we move into spring and summer.,” Brazell. “And at this point, our plan is to continue the meal program through the end of June.”
Education for At-Risk Students
While all students are figuring out how to learn from home, alternative instruction methods are especially important for many of the school’s at-risk families, including those in the school’s credit-recovery program. These students are most at-risk of dropping out or failing to complete school due to a variety of reasons and need specialized help to graduate from McCook High School.
To help continue this program from the safety of the student’s own home, “site licenses” were purchased with the help of $3,000 grant from MCFF.
“On behalf of McCook Senior High School, I would like to thank the McCook Community Foundation Fund for their generosity during these challenging times,” McCook High School Principal Jeff Gross said. “We have several students taking advantage of earning credits via online classes. We are also anticipating the increased need for this service as we continue in these uncertain times in K-12 education.”
“It is a blessing, knowing that we have such great community support,” Gross said. “Thanks for MCFF’s leadership and dedication to our school system…”WE ARE ONE.”
The McCook Community Foundation Fund continues to accept grant applications as well as donations for the newly-established COVID-19 Response Account. More information is available online at mccookfoundation.org.
The regular spring grant deadline is Friday, May 1. Since 2003, more than $400,000 in grants have been provided to organizations and individuals, benefitting McCook and Southwest Nebraska. A complete list of grants is available on the MCFF website. MCFF is an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation.
Jeremy Shaw named April 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month
While the Bison Alumni Newsletter will still be available digitally, a new printed service is available.
During a recent performance at the Fox Theater by the Lied's Arts Across Nebraska, there was one group who was not thanked: those who showed up for the event, which is a big deal.
Mark Friehe named March McCook Volunteer of the Month.
Although the Bodensteiners no longer live in Southwest Nebraska, they are still connected and wanted to see if prosper and thrive.
From long-term projects to weekly events, you cannot say "there is nothing to do" or "nothing is happening."
With the goal of reaching 200 subscriptions, the Bison Alumni Newsletter is launching a subscription service.
Long-time volunteer Don Harpst was recognized as the first McCook Volunteer of the Month in March 2025.
McCook's youth survey shows that young people now value safety in their community, something McCook provides.
Building Connections in McCook Matters June in McCook will be abuzz with fun events including a Youth Summit, hosted by McCook Community Foundation Fund. Our young people in Youth Change Reaction will host the first Nebraska Community Foundation gathering for youth, which will bring youth from across Nebraska to McCook. While still in the planning stages, our students identified that McCook is great because of connections . Our young people easily recognize how critical this factor is to people attraction, to people retention, and to improve their futures. What I miss most about my high school classroom is connections with students and colleagues. In education, I taught first, second, and sometimes third generations in families. My husband, Greg, and I are not McCook natives, but I eventually knew who was related to whom and usually where the parent(s) were employed. Going to the grocery store meant greetings from students and sometimes their family members. I officially retired from my high school classroom nine years ago in May. When you retire, the most-asked question becomes “What do you do with your time?” I try to maintain those connections and make new ones by belonging. For the past seven years, Sharon Bohling and I have volunteered to help plan and organize Bison Days for our high school students, which took place February 10 and 11. It would not happen without the financial support of McCook Community Foundation Fund, plus the McCook High School, local businesses, and the talented people of Southwest Nebraska who say “yes” when one of us reaches out to ask for the donation of time and talent. I would venture that they allow us to be on the Bison Days’ committee because we both have connections within our community—it’s certainly not our computer savvy. Connections can also solve a problem. Recently, I signed up to help a local family in crisis. My morning plan revolved around delivering my donation at a designated drop-off place. That didn’t work out. Fortunately, I still work with youth in various capacities, so I know that Keri Wilkinson works for Camy Bradley. Keri was an organizer for the family fundraiser, so I walked in Camy’s office hoping to find Keri. She was not there, so Camy and I visited briefly. She knew someone (who I did not know) who could possibly give me further direction. Only in a town with connections are you able to interrupt someone’s business, have her reach out for you using her connections , and offer to keep the donations for me until Keri’s return. Another great example of connecting can be found over coffee. Dee Friehe and I are longtime teacher friends. During a chance meeting at the grocery store a few weeks ago, she shared how she was there following a funeral service and was gathering supplies to deliver supper to the grieving family that night. She also updated me on her group of adults who meet for coffee on Thursdays at Ember’s, which varies from 8-28 depending on the day. She recognized the need for adults moving to McCook or folks just wanting to get out to make connections . Dee’s husband, Mark, also hosts his own group of men who are new(er) to McCook. She regaled me with stories of their Christmas party and other special gatherings. Wanting to call McCook your home is solidified by building connections . Ronda Graff has written about McCook Connects which matches a McCook person with someone new to the community of similar interests. I earned my McCook Connects’ T-shirt welcoming a young family with children. We have since spent many hot summer days sitting on bleachers together cheering on our 4-H horse kids while they show their horses. Warning: I connected them with a “free” new-to-them horse. Be careful connecting with me or you’ll probably own a horse. You do not have to be retired to connect in this community. Volunteering is a surefire way to meet people. McCook has many civic groups looking for new faces. Attend a church here; we have many welcoming congregations. Go to ball games or school concerts, attend concerts in the park, learn a new skill through the college, show up at a Third Thursday event or invite the neighbors for a BBQ. Take your youngsters to story hour or Move and Groove at the library. Go watch an event at the Kiplinger Arena. You can even take it a step further: Make a friend or call a friend and invite him/her to go with you. It is human connection that keeps us healthy and happy. If McCook Community Foundation Fund can help you connect in some meaningful way, please reach out for advice or support. *** While Pam Wolford may be retired, she is just as busy serving on the McCook Community Foundation Fund committee and started a new Learn and Return Scholarship with MCFF, while stepping up to grandparent whenever the call comes in.
