K-12 funding program awards over $11,000 to six schools in the Knoxville area

The Krystal Foundation awarded $11,520 in enrichment funding to six Knoxville-area schools at a special presentation ceremony on Monday, December 17 at the Krystal location at 6725 Maynardville Highway, Knoxville, TN 37918. These schools are among 24 chosen from 114 applications received during the Foundation’s first grant window for the 2018-2019 academic year.
“As an organization, Krystal is embedded in the communities we serve. We want to make a positive impact that improves the quality of life for future generations,” said Paul Macaluso, Krystal president and CEO and president of The Krystal Foundation. “The Foundation is Krystal’s legacy.”
Grant award winners include Spring Hill Elementary, where students will develop a robotic arm design which they will 3D print and code. North Middle School will use the grant to fund jazz education within the music department. Educators at Inskip Elementary want to create a “Makerspace” featuring a LEGO wall and a 3D printer. West View Elementary plans to purchase a 3D printer, while Mount Olive Elementary will buy 60 books to support STEM/STEAM lessons. Lenoir City Elementary will use the grant money to expand its Kids Can Code initiative.
The Krystal Foundation supports enrichment programs in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) as well as music, sports and culinary arts. Sponsored by The Krystal Company, the Foundation has allocated over $132,000 in grants to 61 schools across Krystal’s 11-state footprint since its inception in 2016, including nearly $54,000 for the grant window that ended October 31.
The current grant window opened November 1 and extends to December 31, 2018, with recipients to be announced in 2019, when Krystal plans to award an additional $100,000. Teachers, principals, school faculty, PTO/PTA groups and other K-12 school-affiliated organizations are all eligible to apply. Those wishing to apply for a grant may do so by visiting thekrystalfoundation.com.