United is the way we showed up to support our community, celebrate a year of impact, and pack two thousand weekend meal bags for the Backpack Attack program. On November 19, the Alexandria Live United Luncheon brought together community members, business partners, and volunteers.
This annual gathering highlights the realities facing many local families, including those known as ALICE. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are the workers who keep our communities running. They earn above the federal poverty level but still struggle to afford basic expenses such as housing, food, childcare, and transportation. In our region, many families live on the edge of financial crisis, and United Way programs help provide stability when money is tight and choices become difficult.
200 guests joined us to reflect on a year of progress across our impact areas and to take part in a hands-on volunteer project. Together, attendees packed 2,000 meal bags that will go home with students on the weekend, ensuring they have simple kid friendly meals and snacks when school is not in session.
United Way Lakes and Prairie strengthens our region through four key impact areas: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency. At the event we shared the snapshot of our goals and some of the work being done in each.
HEALTHY COMMUNITY
Our Goal
Improving health and well-being for all.
Focus Areas
Mental health support, nutrition, and food security.
Last year, because of you
More than 750 children received Backpack Attack and Feeding Backpack meals each week across our region.
120 Pope County families and 240 Douglas County families received support through monthly Food Drops.
YOUTH OPPORTUNITY
Our Goal
Helping young people realize their full potential.
Focus Areas
Family engagement, literacy development, childcare and early childhood education, in-school and after-school learning, summer enrichment, and college and career readiness.
Last year, because of you
More than 1,000 students received backpacks to start their school year with confidence.
We expanded our Traveling Tree House program to 13 parks, and through 10 themed weeks, saw an average of 170 children attend each week.
FINANCIAL SECURITY
Our Goal
Creating a stronger financial future for every generation.
Focus Areas
Financial education and coaching, adult education and job training, career pathways, homelessness prevention, affordable housing, and home ownership.
Last year, because of you
More than 1,000 individuals received Warm Winter Wear through our Warm Winter Wear program.
47 participants were supported through Work United to gain and maintain employment, being offered job training, resume building support, transportation and clothing and tools needed to maintain and obtain employment.
COMMUNITY RESILIENCY
Our Goal
Addressing urgent needs today for a better tomorrow.
Focus Areas
Emergency preparedness, crisis support, disaster relief, and environmental stewardship.
Last year, because of you
More than 1,000 calls were made to the 211 United Way Helpline in our region, connecting people to resources for housing, utilities, mental health, legal and public safety, and food.
Twenty agencies received a total of 38 United Way grants across our region.
Special thanks to Broadway Ballroom for hosting, Sanford Health and Massman Companies for sponsoring the event, Brenton Engineering and Calvary Lutheran Church for setting up the packing event. Thank you also to Aagard for loading boxes onto the truck, Kiwanis for being our boxers, Henry Foods for delivering food to local schools, and Alex Rubbish for managing the cardboard recycling. Also a HUGE thank you to every guest who attended and to the many businesses that stood with United Way Lakes and Prairie throughout the year ~ your support builds a stronger, more connected community, and United is the way we will continue to build a thriving community!
To view our 2024-2025 impact work, Click Here To View Our Annual Report
