About Barbara Appleton
Barbara Westrick Appleton is an incredible individual who spends her life serving others. She held a distinguished career as a Certified Speech/Language Pathologist with more than 50 years of experience, helping individuals strengthen their communication skills and improve their quality of life. Based in Taylorville, Illinois, she became known for her dedication to both her clients and her community.
Barbara earned her Master of Science in Speech/Language Pathology from Eastern Illinois University after beginning her studies at St. Louis University. Throughout her career, she developed expertise in diagnosis, therapy, and practical communication strategies, supporting countless individuals and families along the way.
As a member of the Foodies Care Board of Directors, Barbara brings a thoughtful perspective on communication and compassionate care. Her lifelong commitment to helping others, combined with her understanding of community needs, makes her a strong advocate in the effort to address hunger and homelessness.
Scholarship Eligibility:
- Current 12th grade student
- Maintains a 3.0 GPA
- Completes 10 hours of community service by June 30, 2026
Scholarship Selection
The organization selects four (4) scholarship recipients who will receive $500 each. The scholarship is for students who writes a 1,000-word essay and completes a minimum of 10 volunteer hours between the time period of April 1 – June 30. The volunteer hours will be tracked through VolIntel.
The requirements are simple:
- Pledge and complete a minimum of 10 verifiable volunteer hours
- Sign up to volunteer through the Volintel platform (on foodiescare.org )
- After the minimum number of hours are completed, (by June 30, 2026), upload the volunteer form and essay (below)
A rigorous application review includes:
- A 1,000-word, original essay describing, What does volunteerism mean to you (within the essay, describe one volunteer experience that impacted you and how it shaped your perspective on giving back).
- 2 letters of recommendation (one scholastic; one personal, non-family related)
- High school transcript
Application Timeline
The application, essay, volunteer form, letters of recommendation, transcript, and college acceptance letter are due by June 30.
Scholarship semi-finalists will be notified by August 31.
How to Apply:
Fill out the form below, including all required information and your essay.
Step 1: Click Here from your computer to view the essay prompt (link opens in new window); use this document to write your 1,000 word essay
Step 2: Click ‘Save As’ to save the essay prompt to your hard drive or USB.
Step 3: When you’re ready to submit your application, essay, and other required documents, come back to this page and fill out the form below. Click the “Choose File” button below to locate and upload your essay and other required documents as described.
Step 4: Click the “Submit” button to send your application, essay and other required documents.
Step 5: You will receive an on-screen notification advising that your application has been received.