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about
serving with a purpose
Serving With A Purpose is a nonprofit organization founded in 2011 by Dr. Melissa Toney. As a former educator, Dr. Toney witnessed firsthand that many students arrived at school carrying more than books and backpacks they carried unmet basic needs. Like many dedicated teachers, she filled her classroom with clothing, toiletries, and food to support students and families facing hardship.
These experiences revealed a critical reality: the obstacles students encounter in the classroom often mirror the challenges their families face at home. Serving With A Purpose was established to bridge that gap and provide meaningful, accessible support.
We partner with schools to create on-campus basic-needs resource centers that offer essential items such as toiletries, uniforms, clothing, shoes, undergarments, household goods, and food vouchers. By collaborating closely with school leaders, counselors, and teachers, we ensure support is available where it is most effective, within the school community itself.
Our mission extends beyond addressing immediate needs. Through community cohorts and comprehensive wraparound services, we provide mental health support, financial literacy education, career readiness programs, and life-skills development. These initiatives are designed to strengthen families, build resilience, and promote long-term stability.
We are also deeply committed to community revitalization, working to foster sustainable growth and positive change in the neighborhoods we serve. Together, we are building stronger schools, empowered families, and a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
mission
Serving With A Purpose removes barriers to learning by supporting the whole child and their family. We convert classrooms in Title I schools into in-house resource centers that provide essential items such as clothing, shoes, hygiene supplies, and household goods. In addition to meeting immediate needs, we offer educational programs focused on life skills, mental wellness, financial literacy, and career readiness. With a strong emphasis on hospitality and service-based training, our programs prepare participants for success in professional and workplace environments. By addressing both short- and long-term challenges, we help students thrive academically while empowering families to build stable, sustainable futures.