Sack Supper Program

Kids’ Food Basket’s core Sack Supper program delivers a ready-to-eat evening meal to about 1,700 Muskegon County students at seven partner schools each school day. Every Sack Supper includes a serving of fruit, vegetables, protein, and a healthy snack; during extended breaks, Break Bags provide extra non-perishable items so kids return to school nourished and ready to learn. KFB also weaves in farm-to-child nutrition: produce grown on its all-natural farmland is packed into Sack Suppers whenever possible.

Beyond meals, KFB offers age-appropriate nutrition and garden education—Grow a Garden, Healthy Habits, and Community Engagement—and mobilizes volunteers to prep, pack, and deliver food. Recent results in Muskegon County include ~295,000 meals delivered, 1,500 students reached through education, and 600 volunteers supporting operations. School partner surveys report strong outcomes: increased access to healthy food (76%), greater exposure to fruits/vegetables (74%), a stronger sense of support/stability (67%), and a higher likelihood of choosing healthy foods (65%).

Why this supports United Way’s mission/priorities
This program directly advances Healthy Families/Individuals → Healthy Lifestyles by increasing access to nutritious food and reinforcing healthy eating behaviors for ALICE and low-income households. Reliable, dignified access to nutrient-dense meals reduces immediate food insecurity, supports attendance and learning, and builds lifelong habits—key drivers of family stability. KFB’s data-driven, volunteer-powered, farm-to-child approach aligns with United Way’s mission to unite the community to inspire change and build thriving communities, ensuring children have the healthy foundation they need to reach their potential.