Chapter Information
Care to Learn - Springfield was established in 2008 as the first Care to Learn Chapter. It currently serves students in partnership with Springfield Public Schools.
In addition to serving the health, hunger, and hygiene needs, the Springfield Care to Learn Chapter currently has a robust clothing closet program. Every school building has its own Care to Learn Closet, which is restocked monthly with brand-new clothing and hygiene items. In addition, Care to Learn - Springfield serves several school sites with on-site food pantries and emergency classroom snacks.
Care to Learn was born out of the Springfield Public Schools system and now serves school districts all over the state.
Key Facts
Care to Learn - Springfield
- $2,062,556.84 = Total Amount Spent to Meet Students’ Needs
- 1,176,492 = Total Number of Student Needs Met
- $1.75 = Average Cost to Meet A Student’s Need
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Chapter Leadership
Ashley Blankinship
Springfield Chapter Services Manager
Ashley Blankinship joined the Care to Learn team in 2024 and currently supports Chapters as the Springfield Chapter Services Manager. Ashley’s background as a public school teacher in Missouri has deepened her passion for supporting the health, hunger, and hygiene needs of students and lifting that burden for their families.
When Ashley is not working, she enjoys hanging out with her husband, Matt, and their dog and cat, Piper and Bean. She is also a voracious reader.
Favorite Teacher:
My favorite teacher was my sophomore English teacher, Jessica Shank. She was the first teacher I ever had that made me feel like an actual human, not just a kid in a classroom. She was genuinely interested in hearing my ideas, she showed me how magical reading could really be, and it's because of her that I ended up becoming an English teacher myself. She got me interested in cool music and films and really helped me understand that the world was a lot bigger than my small hometown. I feel very strongly that all it takes is literally one teacher to take an interest in a kid to really change their trajectory, and I feel that way because of Ms. Shank.
Meeting the Need
Care to Learn - Springfield works with the Springfield Public School District to fill these health, hunger, and hygiene needs for students:
HEALTH
Doctor appointments
Dental care
Eye exam and glasses
Hearing services/equipment
Mental health services
Pest control services
Prescription assistance
HUNGER
Food pantries
Classroom snacks
Grocery vouchers
HYGIENE
Clothing/Shoe voucher
Shampoo/Soap
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Deodorant
Feminine products
Lice treatments
Laundry detergent
Laundry vouchers
Household cleaning supplies
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