find a way to help young people for several years.
“His heart is just really with the kids,” Abram said.
Barton and those working with the foundation had heard about students carrying outstanding lunch balances and the difficulties those debts could create for families. Abram said there were also concerns about students being unable to fully participate in certain school activities because of money owed.
The foundation decided to do something about it.
Jojo’s Lunch Foundation began collecting donations and putting the money toward unpaid meal balances, with an emphasis on students carrying some of the largest debts.
And the numbers can add up quickly.
“You would be very surprised with how these schools have large, large outstanding balances,” Abram said.
During the 2025-26 school year, the foundation worked with 10 schools and reached its $20,000 fundraising goal.
Now, Barton and the foundation are thinking bigger.
The goal for the new school year is to expand into five additional schools and raise $40,000 — twice what was raised during the previous year.
The long-term goal is even bigger.
“Our goal is working to pay them to zero one day,” Abram said.
While the foundation is expanding its reach, its roots remain firmly planted in Seymour and Webster County.
Barton was born in Springfield and spent part of his childhood in Texas before returning to southwest Missouri around the fourth or fifth grade. He eventually graduated from Seymour High School.
Sports played a major role in his school years, particularly basketball. Abram said Barton competed at a high level and continues to share his interest in athletics with younger generations.
Today, he volunteers his time coaching younger children through the YMCA.
But working with young people and helping others has not been limited to the basketball court.
Barton works for Yates Towing in Seymour and has spent more than a decade working with The Arc, where his work has involved helping people with special needs.
For Abram, those experiences help explain why Barton eventually created a foundation centered on children.
“Helping people is definitely his God-led passion,” she said.
Jojo’s Lunch Foundation is built around donations, meaning its ability to help students depends largely on people in the community stepping forward.
One opportunity to do that is coming up at the Seymour Apple Festival. The foundation plans to have a booth at the festival where visitors can learn more about its mission and make donations.
People can also donate through Seymour Bank or use the electronic payment options provided through the foundation’s social media presence.
For Barton and those working alongside him, the mission isn't complicated. They want children to be able to go to school, eat lunch with their classmates and take part in school without an unpaid meal balance hanging over them.
And after reaching 10 schools and raising $20,000 during its first year, the foundation is ready to see how many more students it can help.
Those interested in learning more, volunteering or donating can find Jojo’s Lunch Foundation on Facebook, email jojolunch3@gmail.com or call 417-877-6501.
