United is the way we came together in Fergus Falls on November 20th 2025, to celebrate a year of impact, share our team's goals and focus areas, and together packed 1,000 weekend meal bags for local students through the Freeding Backpack program.
This annual gathering also provided an opportunity for us share the challenges faced by families in our region, especially those identified as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). These are individuals working hard to get by, yet still struggling to afford life's essentials. Through United Way-supported programs, families receive critical resources where and when they are needed most.
At the luncheon, we shared how United Way Lakes and Prairie strengthens our region through four key impact areas: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency and we shared the snapshot of our goals and some of the work being done in each of these areas. Below are some examples we shared:
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! This program is supported through generous donors and sponsors both by community members and business partnerships. These meals are purchased through our partnership with North Country Food Bank, allowing us to use donor dollars wisely by stretch our budget to acquire food at lower costs than traditional grocery stores, so we can serve more families.
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 through Stuff the Bus.
This year we expanded our Traveling Tree House program to 13 parks across our region 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, 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 the Fergus Falls Armory for hosting, Massman Companies and Sanford Health for sponsoring our luncheons, Fresh & Fancy @ Mama Sheena’s for providing us a discount on our meal, the Otter Riser Kiwanis Club and Fergus Falls High School sports teams and NHS club for setting up the packing event, packing and helping take down the event, and to all attendees for your support, partnership and helping pack meals!
Thank you to every guest who joined us and to the many businesses and volunteers who supported United Way Lakes and Prairie throughout the year. Your commitment helps create a connected and caring community. United is the way we are building a thriving community!
To view our 2024-2025 impact work, Click Here To View Our Annual Report
To view our event photos: Click Here To View Event Photos
