United Way of Mower County
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  • Home
  • About
  • Initiatives
    • Success Closet >
      • Winter Wear Drive
    • Backpack Program
    • Success By 6 >
      • Rainbow Route
      • Scholarships
    • Get Connected
    • 211
    • SingleCare
  • Investment
    • Community Campaign >
      • Campaign 101
    • Partners & Programs
    • Our Impact >
      • Education
      • Health
      • Financial Stability
      • Basic Needs
    • Funding Opportunities
  • Rainbow Route
    • Application
    • FAQs
  • Volunteer
  • Resource Guide
  • Donate
  • Contact
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about the backpack program

Why does the backpack program matter?
​Kids who don’t get enough to eat begin life at a serious disadvantage. Children facing hunger are more likely to be hospitalized and they face higher risks of health conditions like anemia and asthma. And as they grow up, kids who missed meals are more likely to have problems in school and other social situations. The bottom line is that children facing hunger may struggle in school and beyond. According to Feeding America, they are more likely to:
  • Repeat a grade in elementary school
  • Experience developmental impairments like language and motor skills
  • Have more social and behavioral problems

For the ~3,400 Mower County students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, school breakfast or lunch may be the only meals they can count on. So what happens when schools dismiss for weekends?

Since 2013, the Mower County Backpack Program has worked to make sure that children have access to nutritious - and easy-to-make - meals for the weekend. Today, United Way partners with five school districts to distribute weekend meals to over 500 students each week. With your help, we can provide more food to more children in need.
What is the backpack program?
​Children enrolled in the program receive a backpack filled with food to take home on the weekends. The food is designed to provide children, who may be going without food over the weekend, with nutritious kid-friendly meals and snacks. Backpacks are discreetly given to children at the end of the week to take home. ​
Which schools are served by the backpack program?
The following Mower County school districts, and all schools within, are served by the Backpack Program:
  • Austin Public Schools
  • Grand Meadow Public Schools
  • LeRoy-Ostrander Public Schools
  • Lyle Public Schools
  • Southland Public Schools
Who is eligible to participate in the Backpack Program?
Schools identify children who are at most risk to experience hunger in their homes throughout each academic year.  School staff contact parents of identified children, who then give permission for their child to participate in the program. If you're interested in enrolling your child in the Backpack Program, please contact your child's school for more information. ​
who funds the backpack program?
Food security gained through the Backpack Program is made possible by donations from community members and businesses. Please consider contributing below.​
Note: For large groups or to request a packing date, please contact Karem at 507-437-2313 or at Karem@uwmower.org. ​

summer backpack program

How do I sign my family up? If you believe your family could benefit from this program, we encourage you to sign up by filling out the form at the link below. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call UWMC at 507-437-2313.
Summer Sign Up
Where do I pick up our food? Twice a month, please stop by the pick up location that is located closest to your place of residence. Refer to the list below to know where and when to stop by for food pick up. 
Pick up locations:
  • Neveln School (1918 Oakland Ave E)
  • UCC Congo Church (1910 3rd Ave NW)
  • Murphys Creek (25th Ave NW)
  • Mower County Fairgrounds (4th Ave SW near the Cow)
​​​
  • Hormel Institute Area (2nd St. NE & 16th Ave NE)
  • Sumner School (805 8th Ave NW)
  • Western Manor (27th St SW)
  • Community Learning Center ​(912 1st Ave NE)
July 5
Neveln School (1918 Oakland Ave E) - 1:50pm
Hormel Institute Area (2nd St. NE & 16th Ave NE) - 2:35pm
July 6
UCC Congo Church (1910 3rd Ave NW) - 1:50pm
Sumner School (805 8th Ave NW) - 2:15pm
July 12
Murphys Creek (25th Ave NW) - 1:50pm
Western Manor (27th St SW) - 2:15pm
July 13
Mower County Fairgrounds (4th Ave SW near the Cow) - 1:50pm
Community Learning Center (912 1st Ave NE) - 2:15pm
July 19
​Neveln School (1918 Oakland Ave E) - 1:50pm
Hormel Institute Area (2nd St. NE & 16th Ave NE) - 2:35pm
July 20
UCC Congo Church (1910 3rd Ave NW) - 1:50pm
Sumner School (805 8th Ave NW) - 2:15pm
July 26
Murphys Creek (25th Ave NW) - 1:50pm
Western Manor (27th St SW) - 2:15pm
July 27
​Mower County Fairgrounds (4th Ave SW near the Cow) - 1:50pm
Community Learning Center (912 1st Ave NE) - 2:15pm
August 2
Neveln School (1918 Oakland Ave E) - 1:50pm
Hormel Institute Area (2nd St. NE & 16th Ave NE) - 2:35pm
August 3
UCC Congo Church (1910 3rd Ave NW) - 1:50pm
Sumner School (805 8th Ave NW) - 2:15pm
August 9
Murphys Creek (25th Ave NW) - 1:50pm
Western Manor (27th St SW) - 2:15pm
August 10
Mower County Fairgrounds (4th Ave SW near the Cow) - 1:50pm
Community Learning Center (912 1st Ave NE) - 2:15pm
August 16
Neveln School (1918 Oakland Ave E) - 1:50pm
Hormel Institute Area (2nd St. NE & 16th Ave NE) - 2:35pm
August 17
UCC Congo Church (1910 3rd Ave NW) - 1:50pm
Sumner School (805 8th Ave NW) - 2:15pm
August 23
Murphys Creek (25th Ave NW) - 1:50pm
Western Manor (27th St SW) - 2:15pm
August 24
​Mower County Fairgrounds (4th Ave SW near the Cow) - 1:50pm
Community Learning Center (912 1st Ave NE) - 2:15pm

How to host a drive

  • Pick a timeframe
  • Set a goal
  • Contact Karem at ksalasramirez@uwmower.org
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Hormel Institute
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Astrup Companies
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Austin All-Stars
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LIFE Mower County

Needed items

Snacks
  • Granola Bars
  • Fruit Snacks
  • Pretzels
  • Crackers
  • Popcorn
  • Animal Crackers
Fruit
  • Applesauce Cups
  • Fruit Cups
  • ​Dried Fruit
Protein
  • Canned Chicken
  • Canned Tuna
  • Complete Meals
  • Peanut Butter
  • Canned Soup
  • Canned Pasta Meals
Breakfast
  • 1oz Cereal Boxes
  • Oatmeal Pouches
  • ​Breakfast Bars

support the backpack program

donate: check

Payable to: United Way of Mower County
Memo: Backpack Program
Mailing Address: PO Box 605, Austin, MN 55912

Volunteer

Click the "Get Connected" icon to learn more about volunteer opportunities:
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donate: credit card (secure form)


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