More than 350 supporters of public education packed the Lynnwood High School gym Friday morning, May 15, to help raise money for the Foundation for Edmonds Public Schools.

At the end of the morning, more than $70,000 was raised; at least $10,000 more than last year’s breakfast, according to Foundation Executive Director Deb Anderson.

Attendees heard from two students who have benefited from the Foundation-funded after-school study club: Melat Gebremeskel, a Brier Terrace Middle School seventh grader, and Erika Eddings from Meadowdale Middle School.

Supporters, who were treated to a delicious Mexican-style breakfast prepared by Lynnwood High culinary students and served by the school’s marketing students, also learned about the myriad ways the Foundation supports students, including:

–– Thanks to a Hazel Miller Foundation-funded grant, instructors received funds for out-of-pocket costs to outfit classrooms with supplies.

— 41 students received first–year scholarships for post-secondary education, while five students received second–year awards.

— 356 refurbished laptops were distributed to families in need.

— 11 teachers received Creative Classroom grants and 20 schools received School-Wide grants.

— In 2014, the Foundation established the Nourishing Network, a weekend meal program for the district’s homeless and low-income families. So far, 1,400 meals have been sent home to students experiencing homelessness.

You can learn more about the Foundation’s work here.