KSMU
Shop with a Hero allows dozens of SPS students to choose food, hygiene items and clothing
February 9
Caring Starts Here
Capital Campaign: Caring Starts Here
Since 2008, Care to Learn has met 4.6+ million student needs, and counting. Now, it's time for a permanent home.
The Case for Space
Student Needs Continue to Rise
- We've seen a 233% increase in student requests over the past four years.
- We now partner with 50+ Chapters and have met more than 4.6 million students' needs since 2008.
- We provide access to resources to more than 130,000 students statewide.
- Over the past 18 years, we've invested $16.7 million into meeting student needs.
We've now reached the limits of our physical capacity.
Doug Pitt, Care to Learn Founder
“At the end of the day, we want to help more kids. This new space will allow us to do exactly that and stay true to our mission."
Our Future Home
1730 E. Portland, Springfield, MO
Here's the good news: We’ve secured a new home in the heart of Springfield. With this space, we'll be able to:
- Maximize bulk deliveries and donations. It will help us streamline donations, innovate our logistics model, and say "yes" to bulk (in-kind) donation opportunities.
- Create a home for more Helping Hands. We'll be able to triple the number of volunteer opportunities for support and welcome larger, more frequent groups.
- Make a true regional hub. With an accessible, centralized space, we’ll expand our service footprint, deepen partner engagement, and serve twice as many students across Missouri.
Take a peek at our floor plan here.
Every child deserves access to critical resources.
We're proud to share that our new space will allow us to expand our support across our 50+ Missouri Chapters.
Current Building Exterior
Additional Project Specs
- Address: 1730 E. Portland
- 19,740 square feet
- Architect: Paragon Architecture, LLC
- Construction Manager at Risk: Snyder Construction Group
- Campaign Project Total: $6.9 million
- Campaign Progress: $5.74 million raised
- Estimated Completion Date: Spring 2027
You Made This Possible!
We're here because you've helped make this possible.
Thank you for your time, your generosity, and the way you show up for students. To our board, thank you for your leadership and steady support. To our donors and community, thank you for believing in this work and making it possible.
Let's meet more needs together.
All the Best,
Doug Pitt, Founder & Krystal Simon, CEO
Want to Learn More?
For inquiries about our Caring Starts Here Campaign or to make a gift, contact our CEO, Krystal Simon.
News & Updates
Springfield Business Journal
Doug Pitt honored as 2026 Springfieldian
February 10
Springfield Newsleader
Care to Learn experiences huge jump in daily requests for food vouchers from SPS families
November 1
Make a Campaign Gift
By 2034, we’re committed to meeting 10 million needs in 100+ communities. But it starts here and now—with you. Over the past 18 years, you’ve helped build this mission. Now, we’re inviting you to help shape its future.