The Alms Project
PROJECTS take many forms and can be customized to meet a variety of needs. We partner with local businesses to benefit our community’s schools and classrooms.
Philanthropy Week 2021
Happy Philanthropy Week!! This week serves to recognize the contributions and charitable work that EVERYONE does to make a difference and impact their communities. At The Alms Group, we are spending this week showcasing some of our outstanding partners that have helped impact local schools and schools in surrounding communities this past year.
Day One: Kansas Gas Service
Because of our extensive immersion in local schools through our grants, recognition awards, and projects, Kansas Gas Service reached out to create a partnership that would allow them to share their grant funding capabilities with educators in our community. Kansas Gas has funded two STEM-related projects to date; one for graphing calculators at Anthony Middle School and the second for handheld microscopes at Marlatt Elementary School. Kansas Gas Service looks to make investments in today's classrooms to shape tomorrow's workforce.
Day Two: Howie's Recycling & Trash Service
Locally owned and operated, Howie's Recycling and Trash Service is the recycling company for Manhattan High School and many other USD383 schools. The USD383 recycling program has previously been funded through grants secured by school leaders. However, because of budget cuts, it was no longer available. Clancey Livingston, the Recycling Coordinator at Manhattan High School, reached out to The Alms Group to cover the costs so the strong student-driven recycling campaign could continue. Utilizing our community connections, we reached out to Howie's to request their support in making sure the MHS recycling program could continue. Howie's graciously donated/credited the remaining balance back to the high school account, thus allowing the recycling program to continue.
Day Three: Body First School Fitness Challenge
The Body First School Fitness Challenge was developed in 2008 by the Manhattan Cross Country Club, with a simple idea to provide money to local schools for encouraging their students to be active. They have grown tremendously, and in 2016, this event provided a record $12,000 to area schools in Manhattan, Riley, Westmoreland, St. George, and Wamego. Mallory Case, a PE teacher at Marlatt Elementary School, had her students participate in the Body First Fitness Challenge to raise funds for a rock-climbing wall. She also reached out to The Alms Group to raise the remainder of the funds.
Day Four: Mead Lumber
With a new building and the addition of the 5th and 6th grade to the Rock Creek Middle School, Haley Carlson, a 5th-grade teacher, quickly saw the need for outdoor activities for the younger students. Mrs. Carlson reached out to the Alms Group about funding a Gaga Pit, an octagonal pit in which players use a bouncy or foam ball to play a condensed version of dodgeball. Lumber and rubber tile interlocking floors are all needed to make a secure Gaga and safe Gaga Pit. With connections made through the Alms Group, Mead Lumber generously agreed to supply and deliver all of the lumber needed for the project. The Conrad Carlson Charitable Foundation generously partnered with Mead Lumber and the Alms Group to provide the interlocking floors for the Gaga Pit.
Philanthropy Week 2020
The Alms Group is unveiling the third pillar to our Alms philanthropic mission, PROJECTS! Alms Projects are opportunities for TAG to partner with other local businesses in ways that can benefit a local school or classroom.
To kick Projects off right, we made a video of our first four projects: “Greenhouse” with Blueville Nursery, “Luncheon” with the Chef (and nine other restaurants), “Recycle” with Pepsi Cola of Manhattan and “Clean-up” with Garibay Lawn & Landscape.
Greenhouse: The Alms Group partners Blueville Nursery to provide start-up materials for a greenhouse at Riley County High School.
During the filming of an Alms Grant recipient video at Riley County High School, a student inquired about getting help from The Alms Group with the start-up costs for a vegetable and herb garden in the school greenhouse. The garden would be used to grow vegetables for meals for students as well as other members of the community. We were inspired my the student and her enthusiasm. We reached out to Blueville Nursery, who helped by providing soil, pots, and seeds for the garden.
Luncheon: The Alms Group partners With nine restaurants to provide Back-To-School meals.
We, at The Alms Group, are always thankful for the work of our educators and school staff, however during the COVID-19 pandemic we sought to find other ways to encourage teachers in our district. With the help of ten restaurants in Manhattan we were able to provide lunches to EVERY teacher in the Manhattan School district in August for back-to-school. Many restaurants provided meals at a reduced cost to help honor our educators. The Chef voluntarily chose to donate all of the 30 meals that we requested. With the help from our community The Alms Group served over 1000 meals between August 17th and August 24th.
Recycle: The Alms Group partners with Pepsi-Cola of Manhattan to purchase Recycling Bins for Anthony Middle School.
The Alms Group partnered with Pepsi-Cola of Manhattan to purchase recycling bins for Susan B. Anthony Middle School. Mr. Kent Smith at Anthony Middle School sent in a grant request for two recycling bins to kick start their recycling program. Shannon Greenwood, Director of Philanthropy, connected with Pepsi-Cola of Manhattan who were happy to help supply the recycling bins.
Clean-Up: The Alms Group partners with Garibay Lawn Care and Landscaping to provide yard clean up for local school.
The first ever partnership was with Wesley Garibay, Realtor® at The Alms Group and Owner of Garibay Lawn Care and Landscaping. A local school requested help for school yard clean-up and Garibay Lawn Care & Landscaping were quick to help!