Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association (EECA) is proud to announce the recipients of its inaugural Student Support Grants. This program was created after conversations with local educators revealed that some of the most pressing needs in schools are for basic necessities. In response, EECA launched the grants to help schools meet those needs so students can focus, learn, and thrive.
Originally designed as a six-award program for the 2026–2027 school year, EECA received more than 40 applications from schools across our territory, each demonstrating a significant level of need. Because of this response, the program was expanded to fund ten grants, and EECA is pleased to announce our first ten recipients. The 2026-27 Student Support Grant recipients are:
- Abigail Hammonds – Southern Region Early Childhood Programs (SIU), Du Quion.
To provide a flexible support system for Pre-K students by offering hygiene products, clothing, food, bedding for those experiencing unstable housing, and emergency cash assistance for families needing temporary lodging. - Allison Sims – Du Quoin High School
To provide financial support for gaps in medical care, including gas money/taxis for out-of-town appointments, over-the-counter medications, and other expenses not covered by a medical card and who have exhausted all options. - Amy Hicks – Carbondale Middle School
To address “period poverty” by purchasing a surplus of feminine hygiene products for the school nurse’s office and Family Resource Center. The school estimates that approximately 75% of its female students rely on the school to provide these essential supplies. - Caitin Pflasterer – Marissa Elementary School
To support a program she created last year to purchase supplies for weekend food bags for students experiencing food insecurity, ensuring they have access to meals even when school is not in session. - Haley Stanton – Pinckneyville Elementary School
To establish and maintain a student resource closet stocked with clothing, jackets, shoes, and hygiene items. Funding will also allow them to purchase specific items when needed, such as different sizes that may not be available through donations. - Kristin Petrowske – Chester Grade School
Funds will be used to establish a Student Essentials Program at Chester Grade School by providing hygiene items, clothing essentials, school supplies, backpacks, and snacks. These items will be organized into discreet, ready-to-use kits so staff can quickly meet student needs and ensure children don’t miss class or feel embarrassed due to a lack of basic necessities. - Melinda Pierson & Amy Prudencio – Carbondale Community High School
To supplement the clothing closet, ensuring students have access to clean, seasonally appropriate clothing when they need it. Funds would also be used to purchase size-specific items such as underwear, socks, leggings, and shoes. - Natalie Hubler – Du Quoin Middle School
Grant funds will support a school-based clothing closet and hygiene pantry by purchasing size-specific clothing as needed, including underwear, socks, sweatpants, leggings, hoodies, and coats, as well as hygiene products such as deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, and feminine care items. - Sarah Brennfleck – Sparta Lincoln School
Funding will be used to purchase items for students who need daily support with basic needs such as clean, seasonally appropriate clothing, socks, and hygiene supplies. This includes pants for younger students, underwear, baby wipes, personal wipes for older students to clean up at school, deodorant, and feminine hygiene products. - Michelle Hamilton – Steeleville High School
Funding will be used to support “lunch bunch” groups to give students the opportunity to have a special lunch with peers and a trusted adult for conversation and informal check-ins about their experiences and well-being. It will also provide water bottles for students to keep in the classroom, helping reduce frequent trips out of the room while also giving them something many of their peers already have, helping them feel more included.
This year’s projects address a wide range of student needs, including hygiene supplies and clothing, support for medical assistance, weekend food bags, and transportation assistance. Recipients were selected based on how clearly their applications demonstrated need, including specific examples, data showing how many students would be impacted, and the impact on students.
In addition to awarding the grants, EECA is creating a list of requested items from participating schools to share with the community. The hope is that individuals, businesses, and organizations will choose to help meet these needs by donating requested items directly to the schools.
EECA congratulates all recipients and thanks educators across the region for their continued dedication to supporting students both inside and outside the classroom!