neighborhood bridges expands Gateway to Kindness to 1st Indiana School Community
Franklin County Community Schools to launch neighborhood bridges
WESTERVILLE, Ohio, (February 2, 2026) – Neighborhood Bridges, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports direct local giving in partnership with school leaders, today announced the launch of its 67th “Gateway for Kindness”, Franklin County Community Schools in Brookville, Indiana.
Franklin County Community Schools, which serves 1,947+ students, will work with neighborhood bridges to help counselors, teachers, social workers and administrators across all five schools meet essential needs for under-resourced students and their families.
"We are excited to partner with neighborhood bridges. This collaboration strengthens the connection between our schools, families, and the community, allowing us to better meet the unique needs of our students. It is our hope that the generosity and compassion of our community will amplify our efforts, providing much-needed support to ensure that every student has the resources they need to succeed. We look forward to the positive impact this partnership will have on our students and their families and to see how the Franklin County community residents come together to support our neighbors, friends, and fellow community members."
Dustin Gehring, Superintendent, FCCSC
Common needs include food, clothing, coats, shoes, school supplies, fees, eye exams, household items and financial assistance for basic expenses.
“Within the communities we serve, our ‘Gateway for Kindness’ connects those in need with those who can help. We are excited to add Franklin County Community Schools to our service area,” said Rick Bannister, CEO, neighborhood bridges. “In preparing for this launch, the efforts of local school and community leaders demonstrate that kindness has momentum. Our partnership will provide direct impact to students and families in need in the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors. Simply put, our goal is to make sure that every student in Franklin County Community Schools has the basic resources they need to attend school every day. We celebrate the addition of Neighborhood Bridges Franklin County as the FIRST school community in the great state of Indiana to our Gateway for Kindness which now serves 67 communities in Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. Indiana is home to the 2026 NCAA Football National Champions, The 2025 Heisman Trophy Winner, and now neighborhood bridges!”
Serving as the Area Director will be Bethany Luers, Executive Director of Stayin' Alive, Franklin County's Local Coordinating Council. Stayin' Alive assumed leadership of the Health and Housing Coalition in June, and Bethany immediately recognized neighborhood bridges as an incredible opportunity for the coalition to make a meaningful impact in the community.
Our neighborhood bridges Franklin County Steering Committee includes:
Shelly Lunsford, Executive Director of the Franklin County Community Foundation
Kelly Bulmer, Director of Franklin and Ripley Counties United Way
Dustin Gehring, Superintendent of Franklin County Community School Corporation
Amy Lindsey, Director of Franklin County Emergency Management
Brittani Schwab, Director of Franklin County Health Department
Brenda Taylor, SIEOC
Stephanie Varble, Team Lead in resource housing for Safe Passage
Get Involved
Community members and businesses can follow and meet local needs by subscribing at https://neighborhoodbridges.org/community/franklincounty-in and follow the activities on social media:
• Facebook: nbFranklinCounty
• Instagram: @nbFranklinCountyIn
For more information about Neighborhood Bridges Franklin County, or to learn about Kindness Council sponsorship opportunities, email franklincounty@neighborhoodbridges.org
About neighborhood bridges
A 501(c)(3) organization, neighborhood bridges’ mission is to bridge communities with schools in providing basic needs, removing barriers, and seeking equity for students so they can engage and succeed in school and life. The organization has driven direct support and care to more than 638,375+ students and families through over $13.5 million in giving since its founding in 2017.
Neighborhood Bridges is headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, and operates its “Gateway for Kindness” in 67 communities throughout Ohio, Indiana, Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi.
For more information, visit neighborhoodbridges.org.