ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Nutrition On Weekends (NOW) program is a collaborative, community effort targeting childhood hunger. The program provides healthy, ready-to-eat nutritious foods for children during the weekend, providing a safety net for children when they are not in the classroom and able to access school meals.
NOW was created in response to data collected in 2012 from Marshfield students through the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. In this survey, 20% of students indicated he/she had gone to bed hungry at least once in the past thirty days because there was not enough food in the home. To address this issue directly, Marshfield Area United Way launched a pilot program in October 2013, serving 29 children in the Marshfield School District.
Over the next two years, the program grew to serve 250-300 students weekly across the Marshfield, Auburndale, Granton, and Spencer School Districts, as well as Wood County Head Start. In the 2016-17 school year, Loyal and Greenwood School Districts were added to the program; then, in 2017-18, Pittsville and Stratford Schools were added. Today, the NOW program serves about 600 children weekly from nine area school districts and has also expanded to local 4K programs, along with virtual and homeschool students.
The latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey data from Marshfield area schools in 2021 showed that 16% of high school-age students and 28% of middle school students indicated he/she had gone to bed hungry at least once in the past thirty days because there was not enough food in the home. At Marshfield Area United Way, we are continuing to develop the NOW program through relationships with school leadership and parental awareness & outreach to better reach these children and ensure no child goes to sleep hungry.
TOP 5 NEEDS:
- Cereal
- Animal Crackers
- Applesauce/Fruit Cups
- Pretzels
- Granola Bars
SPONSORSHIPS
For $140, a child will receive supplemental food packs for the entire school year. To sponsor a child, please click on the button below:
CURRENT STUDENTS ENROLLED 2026-27
SCHOOL YEAR = 530
- Auburndale Schools: 44
- Colby: 53
- Granton School: 25
- Greenwood Schools: 35
- Loyal Schools: 25
- Marshfield Schools: 235
- Pittsville: 32
- Spencer Schools: 63
- Stratford Schools: 14
- Wood County Head Start: 47
- Home-schooled: 2
*Numbers fluctuate throughout the school year. Please contact United Way with any questions.
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
- Cereal
- Snack Mix
- 2 Pieces of Fruit
- Veggies
- Granola bar
- Fruit snacks
- Applesauce, Mac & cheese, oatmeal, or meat sticks
- String cheese
LINKS
- Printable shopping list for donation.
- Amazon Shopping List
SUMMER NOW PROGRAM
Providing children with access to healthy food options during the summer months.
This summer, our Nutrition On Weekends (NOW) Program continues its mission of providing essential weekend food boxes to children in need across our local communities.
You can play a vital role in this mission by sponsoring a child.
$40 sponsors a child for one month.
$120 provides weekend nutrition all summer long for one child
12 DAYS OF NOW DECEMBER 1-12,
From Dec. 1–12, add one item each day from the Nutrition On Weekends (NOW) 12 days of NOW shopping list to your donation box or put $12 dollars each day into your envelope to sponsor a child for a school year.
Your support helps children in our community get the nutrition they need to grow strong and healthy. United is the Way.
GIVING TUESDAY
Is held the first Tuesday of December (Yearly)
Help support a child for the school year.
Spring Break Bonus Box Giveaway
Due to limited quantities, boxes are available by sign-up only and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. If the number of families exceeds the available capacity, a waiting list will be created, and your names will be added to this for cancellations.
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One box per NOW family household
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Sign-up instructions will be sent home in children’s bags prior to the event. It is strongly encouraged to sign up right away.
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This allows families time to register and for us to schedule the times for the pickup date.
Winter Break Bonus Box Giveaway
Due to limited quantities, boxes are available by sign-up only and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. If the number of families exceeds the available capacity, a waiting list will be created, and your names will be added to this for cancellations.
-
One box per NOW family household
-
Sign-up instructions will be sent home in children’s bags prior to the event. It is strongly encouraged to sign up right away.
-
This allows families time to register and for us to schedule the times for the pickup date.