Sporting Jerseys for a Cause
March 2026 | education + schools
article by Stephanie Hobby | photo by Keely Zimmerman
A largely invisible, but always lurking threat, food insecurity affects nearly all aspects of life for one in ten Billings Public School students. Every spring, the Billings Education Foundation partners with the community to raise funds and awareness for its programs through 406 Jersey Day. Students and local businesses are encouraged to donate funds and wear their favorite team’s jersey to help combat food insecurity among students.
According to BEF’s Director of Donor & Community Relations, Shelley Pierce, the program has historically focused on students and teachers but has expanded in recent years to include local businesses.
Employees can wear their favorite jersey or business shirt. Last year, the BEF piloted a program to print T-shirts featuring the 406 Jersey Day logo. After local businesses bought all 250 available shirts, Pierce said they realized they needed to do it again and have newly designed shirts available this year, with the goal of selling even more.
Last year, Quest teacher Amy Leffler reached out to the BEF to brainstorm impact project ideas for her students and quickly identified how they could make a difference in addressing food insecurity in the district. “Things were changing, with the climate and what was available for services last year, and their needs had multiplied significantly,” Leffler explained.
Her Quest students at Lewis and Clark Middle School enthusiastically opted to tackle the issue. They shared information on the morning announcements and held a special assembly to raise awareness. “The kids had a vested interest in giving back. This is a relevant topic, and in Quest, we are always talking about what each of us can do. They were happy to use their creativity to help spread awareness for this cause,” Leffler said. The project took off, and this year, every middle school Quest class is focusing on food insecurity.
“My kids who did it last year are really excited for these kids to participate,” Leffler said, adding, “I was really proud of how they incorporated dignity and have taught this in a really meaningful way.” In January, Pierce visited Quest classrooms at each of the middle schools, explaining that it can look like not eating enough to meet your needs, so siblings have enough, or running out of food before a paycheck comes in. When children are hungry, they may have difficulty focusing on learning or act out in class. Pierce discussed the BEF’s efforts, including food pantries at every school and the backpack meals program, which serves over 800 students each week during the school year.
Last year, Lewis and Clark students were the top 406 Jersey Day fundraisers, raising $348.60. Districtwide, the event raised $ 4,300, with businesses contributing an additional $22,000.
“It really brings the community together in terms of helping people understand this is a real challenge that students in our schools are facing,” Pierce said. “If you think about a whole community where everyone donates five dollars to wear their jersey or team shirt, that can really add up quickly.”
406 Jersey Day is typically scheduled to coincide with March Madness, which concludes on Easter weekend this year. There is no school on Good Friday, so Jersey Day will be held on Thursday, April 2.
To purchase a T-shirt for yourself or your business, or contribute to 406 Jersey Day, please visit the BEF online.
Originally printed in the March 2026 issue of Simply Local Magazine
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