The Golden Belt Community Foundation (GBCF) grants $2,900 to Smoky Hills PBS (SHPBS) to support the Literacy Leadership Program.
The Literacy Leadership Program of Smoky Hills PBS is an effort to engage and inspire children to be ready and eager to learn. There are two components to this program:
· Children’s Programming on Smoky Hills PBS (PBS KIDS) – A portion of the funds we receive from the Golden Belt Community Foundation will go to support safe, non-violent, educational children’s programming every weekday on SHPBS! Parents can be assured that when their kids are in front of PBS KIDS shows, they are LEARNING!
· First Book Club – SHPBS provides FREE books to children enrolled in preschool or head start programs. The funds from the GBCF will provide books to preschoolers enrolled in Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford counties. These FREE books will be distributed during the Winter, Spring, and Fall of 2025. For some, these will be the only books they own, making this First Book Club a great resource for these communities!
“We are incredibly grateful to the Golden Belt Community Foundation for their generous grant to support Smoky Hills PBS," said Amanda Smith, SHPBS Director of Marketing. "This funding plays a vital role in our mission to foster a love of reading and learning among children. With this support, we can continue providing books, resources, and educational opportunities that inspire young minds and help build a brighter future for our communities.”
Established in 1996, Golden Belt Community Foundation provides non-profit organizations in central Kansas with a permanent source of support and serves as a vehicle for charitable giving for donors. The Golden Belt Community Foundation serves the counties of Barton, Pawnee, Rush and Stafford.
Smoky Hills PBS serves 71 counties in Central and Western Kansas. Smoky Hills PBS is available over the air, on many cable systems, DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, and Dish Network, HULU + LIVE TV, and YouTube TV. You can also access Smoky Hills PBS via the FREE mobile app for Android and iPhone devices and is also available to stream by clicking. here: video.smokyhillstv.org/livestream. More information on
Smoky Hills PBS and its programs and projects are available at SmokyHillsPBS.org or by calling 1-800-337-4788.
About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS believes the world is full of possibilities, and so is every child. As the number one educational media brand for kids, PBS KIDS helps children ages 2-8 learn lessons that last a lifetime. Through media and community-based programs, PBS KIDS wants children to see themselves uniquely reflected and celebrated in lovable, diverse characters who serve as positive role models, and to explore their feelings and discover new adventures along the way. Families can stream PBS KIDS for free anytime, no subscription required. A large collection of mobile apps and pbskids.org provide accessible content that spark kids’ curiosity. PBS KIDS and Smoky Hills PBS support the entire ecosystem in which children learn and grow – including their teachers and caregivers, parents, and community – providing resources accessible anytime and anywhere.
Fans of PBS KIDS can tune in to PBS KIDS Family Night every weekend for themed programming, including nature, space, family traditions, arts, friends and neighbors, water, animals, storytelling, and routines. Each of these ten themes was selected to support key learning areas identified by educators and experts and curated to provide flexible play and learn opportunities, while corresponding with supplemental resources and games that will be sent weekly through the PBS KIDS for Parents newsletter.