When your livelihood depends on discretionary income, a down economy can be difficult to overcome.

The Demopolis City School Foundation weathered one of the toughest economic climates in history last year and but has rebounded and is off to a fast start in its new fiscal year.

“Last year was tight,” Foundation Director Jan McDonald said. “It was about as tight as it’s ever been or tighter, but so far, things are looking up.”

McDonald said unrestricted giving – funds that aren’t earmarked for schools or initiatives – is up more than 300 percent when compared to last year.

“But you’re comparing that to a really, really bad year,” McDonald said. “Things appear to be getting better and we hope as the economic condition improves, the Foundation will see some of the benefit.”

The Foundation facilitates three major fundraisers: an annual turkey sale, a pancake dinner each spring and SchoolFest, which is scheduled for May of next year.

These fundraisers and the donations received are what determines how and how much the Foundation is able to supplement funding to the city school system.

The annual smoked turkey breast sale is already underway.

Tickets at $20 each are available from any Foundation board member or by contacting the Foundation at 334-289-2226. Deadline for purchase is Oct. 29.

Pickup date for the turkeys is Nov. 14, in the parking lot of the Demopolis High School baseball field.

This year, Foster Farms donated the turkeys and they will be prepared by Alice Walker of Livingston.

The Foundation uses the income from this and other fund-raisers to continue to foster and promote excellence in the Demopolis public school system. Since its beginning in 1993, the Foundation has awarded more than $756,000 in grants to teachers, librarians and counselors to provide the resources needed to effectively influence the success of all students in Demopolis public schools.