MPS Earns Over $337K for 2024 Moore Love Nonprofits

Moore Public Schools completed its annual fundraising effort for local nonprofits and its students, their families, employees, community members and business partners raised a combined total of $337,342.55. Students who served as Moore Love officers and Student Council leaders traveled to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, Send Relief and to Not Your Average Joe this week to deliver Moore Love checks. 

The nonprofits were selected as beneficiaries in July 2023 by Superintendent Leadership Academy students from Moore, Westmoore and Southmoore High School. Funds they receive will help them sustain selected programs or develop new initiatives.

This is the seventh year of the MPS Moore Love philanthropic initiative, focusing on engaging the MPS community to unite as one fundraising powerhouse to provide funding to local nonprofits that support MPS students and families. The set MPS fundraising month is February, but students begin their activities for their intra-district competition almost as soon as school starts in August.

The Moore Love 2023-24 beneficiaries are:

• Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma (Moore Food & Resource Center): MPS has previously worked with RFBO to provide food in backpacks for approximately 700 MPS elementary students without enough food at home to sustain them over the weekend. Learn more: regionalfoodbank.org

• Not Your Average Joe: NYAJ’s Mission is to inspire our community by including students and adults with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities in the creation of exceptional coffee in an encouraging atmosphere. These opportunities create workforce experience and build the confidence of MPS students and graduates for work in the service industry. Learn more at nyaj.coffee.

• Send Relief: This local chapter of a global organization exists to respond to life-altering moments in North America and around the world. They respond to natural disasters, fight human trafficking, strengthen vulnerable communities, and provide medical attention, and necessities to MPS families through the Food & Clothing Closet. Learn more at sendrelief.org.

Student leadership students heard hopeful recipients during Pitch Day in late summer and they made the selections before the school year started. These students drive the fundraising efforts for their schools and assist the junior high and elementary schools with fundraising ideas and encouragement.

MPS Superintendent Dr. Robert Romines said, “Each year, I'm humbled by the generosity of our MPS community and by the energy that our littles, middles, and bigs have for the work it takes to raise funds as they do. They put their hearts into this campaign and I'm proud of them."

I've told our students their efforts will be realized for years to come after their donations are made to selected nonprofits.  - Dr. Romines

One high school, one junior high, and three elementary schools with the highest fundraising totals also received a trophy: 

• Moore High School - $49,113.06
• Feeder School Pattern Winner - MHS, $127,122.88
• Brink Junior High - $19,873.75
• MHS Feeder Elementary - Bryant, $13,736.62
• WHS Feeder Elementary - South Lake, $25,236.16
• SHS Feeder Elementary - Oakridge, $13,263.52

MPS is the fourth largest Oklahoma public school district (FY24) with approximately 24,200 students throughout 35 school sites and 2,700 employees. For information about MPS visit mooreschools.com or call 405-735-4200.