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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Downs from Columbia, MO is requesting materials related to food, clothing & hygiene through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Downs is requesting

Snacks To Sustain Our Brains

Help me give my students a greater variety of healthy snacks to support their growing bodies and supplement the choices we have from school food options.

  • $685 goal

This project expired on September 2, 2025.

This project expired on September 2, 2025.

My Project

My a.m. snack is often the first food my preschoolers have since the night before. Due to budget constraints, we put out the same very limited variety of snacks day after day, week after week, and month after month.

Having a wider variety of snacks to choose from each day would be such a strong start to their day of learning.

Our program has a set lunch menu, and the children can't bring their own lunches in place of those options. Many of my children do not care for some of the lunches served on a weekly basis. I would love to be able to offer a healthy alternative on those days. I, too, have a limited classroom supply budget and can't offer alternatives beyond the no-sugar-added jar of peanut butter I keep in the room. I dole it out by the spoonful after kids have at least tasted the main course and eaten one of the sides. We are not encouraging picky eating, we are trying to support their growth and development. I want my children to thrive, not just survive each day in my class, and food is a big part of that.

Ms. Downs Center for Early Learning North Grades PreK-2

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Columbia, MO View local requests

More than a third of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

15 students impacted

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Goldfish Baked Snack Crackers/Sunshine Cheez-It Bundle (600-04053) • Quill.com $62.99 1 $62.99
That's it. Apple + Strawberry 100% Natural Real Fruit Bar, Best High Fiber Vegan, Gluten Free Healthy Snack, Paleo for Children & Adults, Non GMO No Sugar Added, No Preservatives Energy Food (12 Pack) • Amazon Business $20.77 3 $62.31
Jack Link's Beef Sticks, Original – Protein Snack, Meat Stick with 6g of Protein, Meat Snack Sticks Made with 100% Beef, Keto Friendly, Individually Wrapped – 0.92 Oz. (20 Count) • Amazon Business $13.98 4 $55.92
Quaker Popped Rice Snacks Caramel Corn Rice Crisps 0.91 oz. 60 Bags/Pack (QUA43381) • Staples $55.76 1 $55.76
RITZ Peanut Butter Sandwich Cracker Snacks and Cheese Sandwich Crackers, Snack Crackers Variety Pack, 32 Snack Packs (6 Crackers Per Pack) • Amazon Business $18.52 2 $37.04
Pirate's Booty Crunch Attack, White Cheddar Cheese Puffs, Kids snacks for lunch box, Gluten Free, 8oz Grocery Size Bag • Amazon Business $8.25 4 $33.00
Fruit Bars Snack Gift Box (20 Pack) - 100% Natural, Gluten-Free, Vegan Fruit Snacks Variety Pack • Amazon Business $29.99 1 $29.99
GoGo squeeZ yogurtZ Variety Pack, Blueberry & Berry, 3 oz (Pack of 20), Kids Snacks Made from Real Yogurt and Fruit, No Fridge Needed, Gluten Free, Nut Free, Recloseable Cap, BPA Free Pouches • Amazon Business $14.99 2 $29.98
Zbar - Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Brownie - Variety Pack - Soft Baked Whole Grain Snack Bars - USDA Organic - Non-GMO - Plant-Based - 1.27 oz. (36 Count) • Amazon Business $29.33 1 $29.33
Learning Resources Smart Snacks Stack & Count Layer Cake • Kaplan Early Learning Company $26.96 1 $26.96
CLIF Nut Butter Bar - Variety Pack - Peanut Butter Filled Energy Bars - Non-GMO - USDA Organic - Plant-Based - Low Glycemic - 1.76 oz. (12 Count) • Amazon Business $25.84 1 $25.84
ZOOFOX 6 Pack Plastic Storage Bins with Lids, 6 Quart Stackable Clear Storage Containers, Latching Box for Organizing Snacks, Crafts, Toys, Tools (Blue handle) • Amazon Business $24.99 1 $24.99
Zesta Oyster Crackers, Single Servings, Original (6 Boxes, 90 Packs) • Amazon Business $21.34 1 $21.34
Cheez-It Classic Cheese Snack Mix, 0.75 oz., 12 Bags/Pack (KEE11719) • Quill.com $20.89 1 $20.89
RITZ Original Crackers, 6 - 10.3 oz Boxes • Amazon Business $15.74 1 $15.74
Nutri-Grain Soft Baked Breakfast Bars, Kids Snacks, Value Pack, Strawberry, 20.8oz Box (16 Count) • Amazon Business $5.98 2 $11.96

Materials cost

$544.04

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$8.16

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$582.20

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$102.74

Total project goal

$684.94

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Downs and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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