This year, we need your help more than ever.
Right now, 578 children rely on the Nutrition On Weekends (NOW) program to access nutritious food over the weekend. Thanks to our generous supporters, 485 children have a sponsor; however, 80 children still need someone to step in for them.
Will you help us close the gap?
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:
- Cereal
- Pretzels
- Granola Bars
- Individual Mac & Cheese packets/cups
- Oatmeal packets
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 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR = 578
Auburndale Schools - 54 Colby: 40 Granton School - 30 Greenwood Schools - 37 Loyal Schools - 14 Marshfield Schools - 296 Pittsville - 54 Spencer Schools - 31 Stratford Schools - 23 Wood County Head Start - 61 *Numbers fluctuate throughout the school year. Please contact United Way if you have 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
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Informational Video about the NOW program
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Time-lapse video (one week of the NOW program)
- 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.
$30 sponsors a child for one month.
$90 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
These boxes are generously sponsored by:TBD
Dates: Please stay tuned — 2026 dates TBD.
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.