News

The Panther Foundation’s annual fundraising event, Panthers for a Purpose, is back. Proceeds raised directly support Spring Lake Park Schools' students. 2024 also marks an important milestone - the 20th anniversary of the annual fundraising event.

"Each year, the Panther community comes together for the Panther Foundation's annual Week of Giving," says Colleen Pederson, Panther Foundation Executive Director. "Through the efforts of this week, we will work to enhance the life of our students in our schools. In addition to the variety of projects and initiatives the Foundation supports each year, the event this year will also focus on raising money to keep our students fed outside of school. We hope everyone can join in the fun!"

The Week of Giving celebration is February 18-24. To top off the week, the Panther Party celebration will be held on February 24 at Bunker Hills Event Center in Coon Rapids featuring a thrilling live auction, dessert auction, games, and Dueling Pianos performed by Rock It Man Entertainment. Tickets are now on sale for the party!

The goal of this event is to engage with the entire Panther community through giving opportunities and pride-filled fun in order to support the continued work and impact of the Panther Foundation.

Special focus on the Weekend Food Pack Program

Each year, the Foundation’s efforts include support for a special Fund-A-Dream project. After successful efforts in 2021, the Panther Foundation will once again focus the Fund-A-Dream on the Panther Pantry and the Weekend Food Pack Program.

Since 2013 more than 40,000 Weekend Packs have been distributed to children in the Spring Lake Park Schools community. Last year alone, more than 7,000 were handed out. A Weekend Food Pack costs just $3. To provide food over the weekend when students are away from school, before they leave for the weekend students receive at least two breakfast items, two "heat and eat" meals, fruit and snacks.

"When children are in school, many benefit from the breakfast and lunch program, but when school is not in session, over weekends and long breaks, there are children in our community without access to nutritious meals," says Colleen. "The Panther Pantry and Weekend Pack program ensures hunger does not impede learning. For this to happen, we're asking for families, friends and neighbors to join us in fighting childhood hunger in our community to help keep our kids learning.”

Support the effort, get involved

The Week of Giving is February 18-24. There are several ways to participate:

• Show your spirit: Dress head to toe in school colors all week. Send in photos (pantherfoundation@district16.org) to be entered into a drawing to win a gift card to the Panther Store.
  • Tuesday, February 20 – Blue Out
  • Wednesday, February 21 – Red Out
  • Thursday, February 22 – White Out
  • Friday, February 23 – Panther Spirit Day!
• Become a sponsor: Sponsorship of this event offers an incredible opportunity to be a part of our purpose and allows us to continue this work.
• Donate Silent Auction Items: We are asking community members to help us collect a wide variety of auction items off our wish list, including merchandise, services and experiences that will capture the interest of our event attendees. Contact us today with your questions or ideas for the Silent Auction.
• Dine-to-Donate: During the Week of Giving, we hold Dine-to-Donate opportunities each evening for families to have dinner, pick up take-out and know that the meal is supporting the Panther Foundation through a donation made by the local restaurant partner. Here's a tease of what to look forward to
  • Jersey Mike's: Friday, February 16 - Sunday, February 18
  • Raising Cane's: Monday, February 19
  • Cafe Zupas: Tuesday, February 20
  • Lucy's Burgers: Tuesday, February 20
  • Tipsy Steer: Wednesday, February 21 and Thursday, February 22
  • Crisp & Green: Friday, February 23
• Support the Fund-A-Dream project - Panther Pantry and Weekend Food Pack Program: By donating directly to this special project, 100 percent of your donation goes to this year's Fund-A-Dream, Panther Pantry and the Weekend Food Pack Program, and provides the necessary resources to keep students fed and focused on learning and growing. 
• Join the party – Saturday, February 24: The Panther Foundation Party takes place Saturday, February 24, 2024, 5 p.m. at Bunker Hills Event Center in Coon Rapids. The Party will close out the fundraising week featuring a thrilling live auction, dessert auction, games, and Dueling Pianos performed by Rock It Man Entertainment. Guests will dance the night away celebrating SLP Schools and our community. Tickets are required to attend.

Find information about all of these activities on the Panthers for a Purpose event page.