United Way is taking over a weekend-meals program and expanding from 10 to 18 schools across Grand Forks and East Grand Forks.
United Way to expand weekend meals to 18 local schools
United Way of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Area will take over a weekend-meals program, growing from 10 to 18 schools to help students get food on Fridays.
Meeting growing needs
On most Fridays, school counselors in Grand Forks quietly slip sealed food bags into backpacks so students head into the weekend with something reliable to eat. This fall, that safety net is growing: United Way of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Area says it will take over a weekend-meals program and expand it from 10 to 18 schools across Grand Forks and East Grand Forks.
United Way framed the move as a response to persistent food insecurity pressures reported by local schools and service agencies. “We fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community,” the organization states in its mission, underscoring why weekend nutrition is part of its education-focused work. The expansion means more elementary and secondary students will be eligible for discreet, take-home meal packs distributed before the last bell on Fridays.
Why United Way is stepping in
Program handoffs like this often happen when a local nonprofit is positioned to coordinate volunteers, bulk food purchasing, and school logistics at a larger scale. United Way officials said the organization will centralize purchasing and delivery and work with school social workers and administrators to match meal packs to students who need them. That approach mirrors United Way’s broader network strategy of convening partners, securing funding, and measuring results.
Local demand has been steady. School leaders in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks have reported that weekend gaps can ripple into Mondays—students arrive hungry, which makes it harder to focus. The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food,” a reality that can be especially acute on days when school cafeterias are closed. National anti-hunger groups often remind communities that “hunger doesn’t take a weekend off,” a framing consistent with what area counselors see.
Local impact: Every meal counts
Teachers and counselors say weekend meal packs help stabilize the start of the school week—fewer headaches, more participation, and a better shot at finishing assignments. While every school community is different, staff often describe the relief of knowing a student who’s been stretching snacks will have entrees, fruit, and shelf-stable milk to bridge Saturday and Sunday. Families navigating shift work, variable paychecks, or a surprise car repair can feel those two days most.
United Way said families will not sign up through a public list; instead, the nonprofit and school teams will identify students who could benefit to preserve privacy. Families who want to learn more can start by contacting their school office or counselor. United Way will also post updates and school-by-school participation details on its website as the rollout progresses.
How to inquire: Contact your school’s office or counselor; details will also be posted at gfunitedway.org.
District directories: Grand Forks Public Schools and East Grand Forks Public Schools.
Community collaboration
This expansion depends on local hands and local dollars. United Way plans to recruit volunteer packers and delivery drivers, coordinate food drives with the Grand Forks/East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce network, and engage campus groups at UND for periodic packing blitzes. Area grocers and businesses can help by underwriting items that are kid-friendly, nutritious, and easy to open.
United Way says it will lean on its corporate partners for sponsorships and in-kind donations while continuing to work with neighborhood associations and faith groups that have run backpack-style efforts for years. The model is simple by design: collect, pack, deliver, and keep it discreet—so students can focus on school, not stigma.
The path ahead
Sustaining a larger footprint—18 schools instead of 10—will require steady funding and predictable supply. United Way officials said they will braid individual gifts, corporate sponsorships, and grants to cover food costs and logistics, and will publish periodic impact updates so donors can see where their dollars go. The nonprofit also plans to track indicators schools care about—attendance on Mondays, nurse visits, and counselor referrals—to help evaluate whether the added reach is working.
Families and educators can expect a phased rollout coordinated with principals and counselors. United Way will announce participating schools and volunteer packing dates on its website and social channels, and the nonprofit encourages civic groups, UND student organizations, and base families at Grand Forks Air Force Base to sign up for shifts as they are posted.
Conclusion: Building a stronger community
Weekend meal packs won’t solve every household challenge, but they can make a Monday morning calmer and a school day more productive. By taking the program to 18 schools, United Way and its partners are betting on a straightforward idea: when kids eat, they learn. It’s a choice that aligns with Grand Forks’ community-first ethos—from neighborhood volunteers to local businesses stepping in—ensuring more students across the river towns have what they need when the cafeteria lights are off.
What to Watch
United Way will publish the final list of the 18 participating schools and volunteer dates on gfunitedway.org as distribution schedules are set with districts. Watch for sign-up links, donation drives, and a first impact snapshot later in the school year as the nonprofit tracks how the expansion performs.
