Marshfiled, Wisconsin – The Nutrition on Weekends (NOW) program by the Marshfield Area United Way has been awarded $20,000 grant in order to serve more children the entire year.
The NOW program was launched in October 2013 and has served 29 students. Last school year, it has served 113 students, and now serving 248. The program has been dedicated to providing urgent care to children through their easy-to-prepare and healthy food during the weekends.
Paula Jero, the United Way director, said the number of students the program was able to help has gone through the roof, but it has slowed down over time. She said she and her agency have been making efforts in getting referrals.
Fortunately, the grant as allowed the program to expand into different sites for the current school year. The organization has been provided with a sure way to serve more children, including those in the Washington Elementary School, Marshfield Head Start, Marshfield Middle School, and the Spencer School District. Through the grant, the program was also able to increase the enrollments at current, ongoing sites.
School children do not only need the services of urgent care clinics in order to survive and stay healthy. Innovative programs are likewise necessary to help them get what they need. Thus, the grant will be used in purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables, and bread in the food packs. Additionally, the nonperishable donations and items help the organization in keeping the food pack cost for only 77 cents each, which allows the program to reach out and serve more children.
Jero pointed out that the expansion of the program was basically due to the support the community has given, allowing them not to purchase that much because of the generous donations from residents and other organizations in the area.
NOW was able to receive the funding through the Healthy Communities grant program of the Security Health Plan. The Healthy Communities has also been devoted to addressing significant health issues in the community, considering the necessity of an urgent care clinic, program or advocacy for children and their nutrition.
All in all, 8 organizations received funding totaling to $250,000 in order to address varied and wide-ranging issues. Allison Machtan, health educator of Security Health Plan said the funding was an investment in improving the children’s health, providing them an urgent care near me relief.
The program also supports child health aside from nutrition, addressing chronic conditions or behavioral issues that result from hunger. Individuals and groups can make donations to support NOW or volunteer during delivery of food packs to serve more children in schools.
