NOW (Nutrition on Weekends)

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 as part of 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 directly address this issue, Marshfield Area United Way launched a pilot of the program in October 2013 serving twenty-nine children in the Marshfield School District.

Over the next two years, the program grew to serve 250-300 students weekly on an annual basis in 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 and then in 2017-18 Pittsville and Stratford Schools were added. Today the NOW program is serving between 400-450 students weekly and has grown to also serve the 4K programs at Grace Lutheran and the YMCA, St John the Baptist and Our Lady of Peace schools, as well as, 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:

  1. Cereal
  2. Granola Bars
  3. Applesauce cup singles
  4. Peanut Butter
  5. Jelly/Jam
 

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: 

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CURRENT STUDENTS ENROLLED 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR = 602

Auburndale Schools - 50
**NEW- Colby: 41
Granton School - 38
Greenwood Schools - 35
Loyal Schools - 19
Marshfield Schools - 298
Pittsville - 64
Spencer Schools - 38
Stratford Schools - 19
Wood County Head Start - 56


*Numbers fluctuate throughout the school year. Please contact United Way if you have any questions.

 

 

EACH CHILD RECEIVES A WEEKLY FOOD PACK CONTAINING:  
  • 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

 

 

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SUMMER NOW PROGRAM
Providing children with access to healthy food options during the summer months.summer now 2025 button

 

 

This summer, our Nutrition On Weekends (NOW) Program continues its mission of providing essential weekend boxes filled with food for children in need across our local communities.

You can play a vital role in this mission by sponsoring a child.
💛 $30 sponsors a child for one month.

💛 $90 provides weekend nutrition all summer long for one child

To sponsor a child click here

you can view the 2023 data here.

and the video recap here

Spring Break Bonus Box Giveaway

Our UNITED WAY NOW Program is providing 65 Spring break bonus boxes.
Will include:
Ham, instant potatoes, canned corn, a loaf of white bread, bananas, frozen pie, jello, canned mandarin oranges, a box of saltine crackers, peanut butter, jelly, cereal and a fresh salad kit. 

YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE TO TAKE PART.
PLEASE SIGN UP YOUR FAMILY BY FRIDAY MARCH 15

Pick Up Date: Wednesday, March 20 from 8 am to 4 pm

Location: The Marshfield Area United Way Office, 612 W Blodgett Street Marshfield WI 54449

Anyone registering after the first 65 families will be placed on a WAITING LIST.