Joe's Hope continues to help local students by eliminating school lunch debt

Joe's Hope Foundation continues to make a difference in Fulton County with their community-based nonprofit that started in Sept. 2020 as a way to help with financial assistance and resources for residents battling cancer. The nonprofit was made in honor of 19-year-old Joe Shidler, who lost his life to leukemia in 2014. As a way to keep his legacy alive, Joe's Hope has since continued to grow and flourish.

The nonprofits funding comes entirely from local donations and fundraisers, with no reliance on grants. Since their 2020 start, thanks to donations made to Joe's Hope Foundation, some local families dealing with cancer are able to receive a “general funds” check when bills become overwhelming, while others are supported with fuel or grocery gift cards. 

Adding on to Joe's legacy, three years ago Joe's Hope Foundation launched another project in aiding with hunger relief to local students by paying off lunch debt at Rochester Schools. 

“Joe would just want us to help wherever we can,“ said Dustin Shidler, the nonprofit's president and brother of the late Joe Shidler.

Shidler said his brother had battled leukemia while still attending high school and remembered the struggles he and his family endured financially during that time. “ When Joe was battling cancer I can remember our mother making the decision about whether she could afford gas or rent some months,“ Shidler said. 

In Dec. 2023, members of the Shidler family presented a $300 check to Rochester Community School Corporation from the nonprofit Joe’s Hope Foundation to help pay off the outstanding school lunch balances from students at all four Rochester schools.

Last year their lunch debt pay-off project was expanded even more thanks to the help from partners, Lisa Fellers, owner of Unnecessary Extras at 723 Main Street in Rochester, and corporate sponsor Servpro in Marshall County. With the extra boost of scoring almost $1200 in funds and support during 2024, Joe's Hope was able to cover the lunch debt of not only Rochester Schools, but Caston School as well. 

Feeling ambitious from last year's goal, the team hopes to achieve more by being able to pay the outstanding school lunch balances for not only Rochester and Caston Schools, but also Akron Elementary and Tippecanoe Valley Middle and High School. 

As of the end of October the Joe's Hope crew had already raised $605 from donations for the cause, however, at the beginning of Nov., Shidler was given the news that Servpro would donate $500. With great determination, Shidler said they hope continue adding to the donations to cover the additional schools and potentially continue growing the program in the future. 

Those wanting to donate can do so by clicking on the link below. Those unable to donate online can do so by sending checks or funds with the memo 'school lunch debt' to P.O. Box 182, Rochester, IN 46975. 

https://givebutter.com/c/adCN8b

Anyone needing to reach out to Shidler and the rest of the team at Joe's Hope Foundation can do so y calling (574) 201-0134, email joeshopefoundation@gmail.com or check out the organization’s Facebook page.