MONROE — The Monroe Morning Optimists — known for cheese curds and local philanthropy — have merged the two, with news they are renewing for a second year a program that provides thousands to local schools to help ease the burden on teachers spending their own money on classroom supplies.

And a big part of the $4,500 donated this year to help schools and teachers comes from money raised during Cheese Days, when the lines for the famous curds are long.

“I’m really excited about it, and the Morning Optimists love what the program did during its first year,” said the club’s Rick Maliszewski, who recently advised school officials the program would be enthusiastically supported by the club for a second year. 

The effort provides funding to six schools — the three grade schools, Monroe Middle School, MHS and St. Victor — to be used for teacher requests for teaching materials and other student enrichment tools, things most teachers draw from their own pockets to pay for.

“Teachers have a lot financial struggles of their own, especially the younger teachers who in many cases have big college loans,” said Maliszewski.

The program they have implemented has accountability built into it. A teacher requests assistance for a classroom need through the principal, who evaluates the request and gives the teacher the money, in $50 increments, in a special envelope. Once they spend it, the teachers return the envelope with pictures of their project and other information, showing exactly where each dollar is spent.

“We had to go out and get 90, $50 bills for this program,” he said.

According to the National Education Association, over 90% of teachers buy items to support student learning. This spending covers a wide range of items — from basics like paper and pencils to educational aids, classroom decor, and even snacks or cleaning supplies. 

Another example — a local school physics class used Morning Optimist grant money last year to buy prisms for studying light, according to Maliszewski.

While the practice of teachers kicking in because they care is long-standing, the financial burden has grown, with teachers now spending hundreds or even over a thousand dollars annually 

Although tax deductions and grants exist, many teachers find they still need to supplement with their own paychecks to create a functional and engaging learning environment for all students.  

And the Cheese Curds? They will likely be more popular than ever at Cheese Days 2026 next year.

“If people keep eating our cheese curds, we can keep doing things like this,” he said.