Weekend PowerPacks

TrueNorth’s Weekend PowerPacks fills the weekend meal gap for 400 PreK–12 students across Grant, Newaygo, White Cloud, Hesperia, and the Newaygo County Education & Activity Center for 40 school weeks. Working with school staff to identify students experiencing food insecurity, volunteers assemble ~5-lb, kid-friendly packs and deliver them to schools on Thursdays for discreet Friday distribution. Food is sourced through discount and wholesale partners—often 40–60% below retail—to maximize calories and nutrition without adding weight or stigma.

The model is highly scalable and volunteer-driven: last year the program distributed over 11,600 PowerPacks. Ongoing guardian and student surveys guide food choices, packaging, and delivery; recent results show strong satisfaction and meaningful short-term boosts in food security.

Alignment with United Way mission/priorities
Weekend PowerPacks directly supports United Way of the Lakeshore’s Healthy Families/Individuals → Healthy Lifestyles priority and bold goal of helping 10,000 more working families meet basic needs by 2025. By bridging weekend nutrition for ALICE and low-income households, the program reduces financial strain, supports children’s health and readiness to learn, and mobilizes community volunteers and school partners—uniting the community to inspire change and build thriving, equitable environments.