When a student at North Rock Creek Schools asks for a snack, teachers don’t have to wonder if they’ll have one to share. Thanks to the partnership between Aydelotte Baptist Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma and The Kaleo Foundation, classrooms are stocked, teachers feel supported, and children receive nourishment and care.
This practical help is one of many ways Kaleo and Aydelotte are working together to meet the physical and spiritual needs of children in Shawnee and beyond.
Meeting Needs in a Community Facing Poverty
Shawnee, Oklahoma, home to about 30,000 people, faces a poverty rate of 20% — well above the national average of 12%. Children are especially affected. Poverty often brings hunger, unsafe housing, and under-resourced schools, with long-lasting impacts on development.
That reality is evident at North Rock Creek Schools, where Aydelotte prioritizes its ministry. The K-12 district serves 1,200 students; nearly a third qualify for free and reduced lunch. At the elementary level, 48% of students are economically disadvantaged.
Before school began this fall, Aydelotte served a biscuit and gravy breakfast to North Rock Creek teachers during their in-service meetings. Volunteers also prayed for staff and distributed gift sacks — provided by The Kaleo Foundation — filled with snacks for children in need.
Additionally, Kaleo delivered 21 cases of BODYARMOR sports drinks to North Rock Creek, ensuring teachers and coaches have resources to support kids throughout the semester.
Investing in the Community Through Sports
This summer, Aydelotte also hosted a soccer camp for local children. Flyers were distributed to three schools, drawing families from across the community. Kaleo supplied BODYARMOR and enough gift bags for every participant.
Senior Pastor Monte Dean reflected on the impact:
“It was a wonderful week as we shared the Good News of Jesus Christ our Savior each day. We supplemented our message with crafts. On the last morning, we had a family day where parents could watch their kids show what they learned on the soccer field. It was an exciting week!”
The Kaleo Foundation’s mission of meeting the critical needs of children, relieving hunger, and eliminating illiteracy aligns seamlessly with Aydelotte’s vision to equip God’s people and extend the Gospel in Shawnee and beyond. Together, they are living out this calling in tangible ways.
Wondering how you can partner with The Kaleo Foundation to meet the physical and spiritual needs of children in your community? Contact us today at https://thekaleofoundation.org/contact/.