Photo submitted to Times Observer Kindergarten students and teachers at Youngsville Elementary School were among those who participated in the recent Pajama Day as a fund-raiser for the Warren County School District’s Kids In Need Fund. The KIN Fund helps students who are homeless or otherwise in need.

When Youngsville Elementary School students recently raised $318, they were helping kids.

The Pajama Day donation from students in grades Kindergarten through fifth went to the Kids In Need (KIN) Fund.

“With our Pajama Day Fundraiser, we were able to raise $318 to donate to the KIN Fund,” Speech-Language Pathologist Jamie Terensky said. “Our school is so pleased with our students who SOARed (Safety Ownership Always Respect is the school motto) like Eagles (the school mascot) to help make a difference within our school district.”

The fund is intended to help students who are homeless or otherwise need support.

More than one of every 100 students in Warren County School District is homeless — 52 out of less than 4,000.

Since the KIN program started in 2015, it has collected and spent more than $63,000 — almost $20,000 in 2019-2020 alone — to help those student and their families.

The fund can purchase necessities — from clothing and shoes to hygiene products, blankets, backpacks and school supplies.

It also helps families at particular times of the year.

Next up is KIN Thanksgiving — a collaboration involving the school district, the Community Foundation of Warren County, and Bob Evans. “We have volunteer district employees who deliver meals Thanksgiving morning,” Director of Pupil Services Dr. Patricia Mead said.

“The Community Foundation is excited to support this project on behalf of the students and families in our community,” Executive Director Rob Kaemmerer said.

In 2020, the program delivered meals to 57 families – 305 people.

Last year, there was not a Thanksgiving delivery due to COVID-19.

This year, prices have gone up. “So far, this year, we have 146 family members from 35 families,” Mead said. “We were able to service less families.”

Once the Thanksgiving deliveries are made, the KIN Fund will transition to the KIN Angel Tree.