United Way’s Summer Programs include two innovative strategies; Summer Eats for Kids and Backpacks for Success
Families living in low-income struggle to make ends meet, and often cannot afford to provide some of the basics – including food and school supplies. This can become even more of a challenge for families over the summer months when school nutrition programs are closed.
Children and youth need access to healthy food in the summer months, and school supplies for the year ahead to be successful. Supporting children and families over the summer months with access to fresh and healthy food, and providing them with school supplies for September removes some of the many barriers that these families encounter on a daily basis.
Summer Eats for Kids
The Summer Eats for Kids program provides children and families in Windsor-Essex County with a week’s worth of nutritious snacks, fresh fruits, and vegetables. The program is provided at six school locations across the community, where families can come to receive a food bag. In addition to this weekly support, the program provides 550 lunches per day during the first three weeks of July to students participating in the Greater Essex County District School Board’s ‘Camp Wonder’ program.
Summer Eats for Kids Goal:
To provide 4,000 bags of food and 8,250 lunches to children and families in our community.
Backpacks for Success
The Backpacks for Success program provides students in need in kindergarten through grade 12 throughout Windsor-Essex County with backpacks filled with grade-appropriate supplies they need for school. Providing kids with back-to-school supplies increases classroom participation, attendance, and student morale.
Backpacks for Success Goal:
To provide 2,000 children in Windsor-Essex County with backpacks and school supplies for school.
Gallery of Summer Programs Champions
Thank you to all the volunteers, donors, and supporters who contribute to making United Way’s Summer Programs possible. Unfortunately, food challenges become more pronounced during the summer months when school nutrition programs are closed. While back-to-school season is an exciting time for many children, some lack access to the supplies and resources necessary for a successful school year. Thanks to your generosity, we can provide families with a week’s worth of nutritious fruits, vegetables, and snacks during July and August. Supplying kids with school essentials not only enhances classroom participation and attendance but also uplifts morale.
How to get involved in Summer Programs
- Make a Corporate Donation
- Host a Digital Fundraiser
- Host a Workplace Fundraiser
- Make an Individual or Family One-Time Pledge
Contact to learn more:
519-259-6164 I info@weareunited.com
Benefits
- On-site signage during Day of Caring
- Digital promotion/recognition of your contribution – includes photo op
- Provide food and backpacks to local children and youth in Windsor-Essex County
- Opportunity to help distribute food or backpacks at a Day of Caring volunteer engagement during Summer Eats for Kids or Backpacks for Success
Be a Sponsor for the Day
$3,000 provides 120 families in Windsor and Essex County with a week’s worth of snacks, fresh fruits, and vegetables during the summer months. Summer Eats for Kids operates in six locations in West Windsor, Downtown Windsor, and Leamington.
Donate new or gently used books
Thanks to Women United, free books are provided to kids to encourage reading over the summer. They will be distributed to children ages 1-17 at Summer Eats for Kids program sites.
Contact Susan Merryfield to arrange to drop off books to the United Way office.
519-259-6177
smerryfield@weareunited.com
2022 Summer Programs Report
Read about the community impact, our program sponsors and volunteers.
This summer, many local children face the stark reality of hunger and lost learning opportunities. The need for nutritious food and educational resources is increasing in Windsor-Essex. Read on to see how you can make a life-changing difference to a child and their future.
United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County launches their annual summer programs fundraising campaign this month. United Way’s Summer Programs include two innovative strategies that support children throughout the summer months and help prepare them for their upcoming school year.
November 25, 2022
Summer Programs Report
This past summer, we delivered the Summer Eats for Kids and Backpacks for Success programs in three priority neighbourhoods of West Windsor, Downtown Windsor and Leamington. We are pleased to be able to share the 2022 Summer Programs Impact Report with you.
August 15, 2022
United Way’s Summer Eats for Kids and Backpacks for Success Continue in August across Windsor-Essex County
As planned, United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County will continue their summer programs for the next two weeks, until the end of August.
RELEASE: United Way launches their annual summer programs fundraising campaign this month – Summer Eats for Kids & Backpacks for Success.
August 27, 2021
Hero for a Day Summer Eats for Kids champions
RELEASE: United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County wrapped up its Summer Eats for Kids program this week and hosted its Backpacks for Success distribution day on August 24 and 26.