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United Way outlines weekend meal packs for Cannon Falls students; program serves about two dozen locally
Summary
Nicole McAfee of United Way described the "Packing for the Weekend" program—started in 2011—and said it currently serves about 24 Cannon Falls students. The district was asked to monitor family fit, encourage referrals via school social workers and consider community support options as program costs rise.
Nicole McAfee, United Way executive director for Goodyear, Wabasha and Pierce counties, presented an overview of the "Packing for the Weekend" program and its operation in Cannon Falls and neighboring districts.
McAfee said the program began in January 2011 at Kenside Elementary School in Red Wing after teachers identified students who lacked sufficient food over weekends. Meals are packaged as ready-to-eat items and distributed in backpacks. United Way partners with Every Meal (a Roseville-based nonprofit) to provide culturally appropriate meal packs: green (general/all-purpose), orange (Latino), purple (Southeast Asian), blue (East African) and yellow (kid-friendly). McAfee said families may change pack type during the year and social workers help administer choices.
McAfee told the board Cannon Falls currently averages about 24 participating students; she cited slide figures for bag counts across schools (green 408, orange 60, blue 18, purple 90, yellow 204). She said last year’s Cannon Falls program cost was $5,224.32 and the projection for the coming year is $7,245.04, a rise McAfee attributed to Every Meal adding a trip fee and general cost increases. Funding comes from donations and a small general-fund contribution in Cannon Falls.
Board members asked how families are notified; McAfee said school social workers distribute information at the start of the year and delivery generally begins in October. Volunteer packing in schools declined during COVID; McAfee said Every Meal now handles packing and delivery. McAfee asked the board to continue monitoring how the program fits student needs and to consider ways the community can support it (business support, school-appeal campaigns, foundation grants).
No board action was required; the presentation closed after a brief Q&A and the board thanked McAfee for the update.
