United Way Backpack Program

Common sense, backed up by loads of data, tells you that children who go to school hungry have difficulty concentrating, listening, and learning. This most often leads to decreased academic performance. Feeding America reports a link between food insecurity and an increase in school absences and behavioral issues. Poor nutrition can even lead to delayed development in young children, risk of chronic health issues, and have lasting effects long into adulthood.

This past year, we marked our 10-year Anniversary of our United Way Backpack Program! We have provided food over the weekends to elementary, middle, and high school students across Bismarck-Mandan and many rural communities including Linton, Hazelton, Braddock, Moffit, Hazen, Beulah, and Carson.

In 2023, 30,140+ weekend backpacks of food were provided to 1,700+ children in our local community.

With just $4000, your business can sponsor an entire weekend and provide essential nourishment to over 1700 local children. Each backpack, filled with nutritious food, costs only five dollars. By organizing food drives and accepting individual gifts, we can ensure that every child receives the nourishment they need, supplementing the overall cost.