United Way outlines weekend backpack food program, volunteer platform and success closet for Austin students

United Way program staff told the school board about the district’s partnership with a weekend backpack food program, an online volunteer platform for student service hours, and a “success closet” that supplies winter clothing and personal-care items to students in need.

Valerie Hallberg, introduced as a program coordinator with United Way, said the backpack program began in 2013 and serves pre-K through eighth-grade students across Austin Public Schools. Hallberg said the program had enrolled 608 students as of the meeting and that the group expects to distribute roughly 26,000 food bags by May; packs are increased during multiweek breaks.

United Way representatives also described GetConnected, an online volunteer platform used to register student volunteer hours. A staff presenter said GetConnected has posted about 900 volunteer opportunities since February 2018 and helped recruit hundreds of students to summer volunteer programs. The presentation said incoming freshmen are an active group of volunteers and that students can earn service hours for scholarships.

United Way staff described the success closet, which provides winter coats, hats, gloves, and personal-care items. Staff said last school year they provided more than 400 items to Austin students, including about 280 coats and roughly 1,000 winter-wear pieces such as hats and snow pants. Teachers and staff may submit requests online for items to be delivered discreetly to families, or families may visit the success closet to be fitted directly.

Speakers asked for volunteers to help pack and distribute bags on Mondays and described partnerships with local organizations that provide space and logistical support. Board members praised the program and noted the community’s role in supporting students and new families.