The San Diego Union Tribune published an article Friday (March 27, 2020) recognizing the Fiske Family Foundation’s $50,000 donation to the Poway Unified School District Foundation. The text of the article, originally published on sandiegouniontribune.com, can be found below.
PUSD grad’s foundation gives $50K to help district students during pandemic - By EMILY SORENSEN
The Poway Unified School District Foundation got a big boost Friday when the it received a $50,000 donation from the Fiske Family Foundation.
The donation is intended to support immediate and unforeseen nutrition and distance learning needs in the wake of the novel coronavirus — COVID-19 — pandemic, according to a press release.
PUSD schools are currently closed through April 3 (date subject to extension) and district staff are providing distance learning to the district’s 36,000 students. An average of 8,391 students rely on district food services for breakfast or lunch, according to the release.
The two foundations formed a partnership to provide relief to PUSD families and students in greatest need. Funds provided by the Fiske Family Foundation may be used for continued meal service or technology, equipment and resources for distance learning, including internet access and laptops.
“According to the United States Department of Agriculture, across America, more than 30 million students participate in free or reduced-price lunch and more than 14 million participate in free or reduced-price breakfast under the School Breakfast Program during the school year,” said John Fiske, founder of the Fiske Family Foundation.
“With my wife, Courtney, we established the Fiske Family Foundation last year to provide opportunity and access to public education and recreation for all. In light of the urgent need to support PUSD children and their families in our community, we are grateful for the opportunity to provide support. While we do not know how long our country will endure this hardship, it is our hope that others will do what they can to see families and children through this difficult time,” Fiske said.
Fiske is a PUSD alumnus who attended Sundance Elementary, Mesa Verde Middle School and Mt. Carmel High School.
Kathleen Porter, the PUSD Foundation’s executive director, said the donation will help bridge the gap for families and students who have been impacted by the closure of school campuses.
“PUSD is currently scheduled to remain closed through Friday, April 3 and our staff and administration are working around the clock to prepare teachers and students for distance learning,” Porter said. “However, food and equipment will be one of our greatest needs during this pandemic and we are ever-grateful to John and Courtney for their generous support.”