Orrville Area United Way is excited to announce the receipt of a $4,000 grant from the Wayne County Children’s Resource Fund at the Wayne County Community Foundation. This generous funding will assist Percy’s Weekend Backpack Program, ensuring that children in Dalton and Orrville School Districts have access to nutritious, easy-to-prepare meals when school is not in session.
The Weekend Backpack Program has experienced a steady increase in demand, currently serving approximately 120 students each week. With this grant, over 1,230 packs of food will be distributed, providing children with sufficient meals for the weekend. These meals are designed to be easy for children to prepare themselves, ensuring they have nourishment when school-provided meals are unavailable.
As costs rise for Percy Programs and requests from local agencies continue to increase, this grant is a crucial contribution to meeting the growing needs of our community.
"Supporting our youth and families is at the heart of our work," said James Carpenter, Executive Director of Orrville Area United Way. "Being selected as a grant recipient by the Wayne County Children’s Resource Fund at WCCF is an honor, and it will directly benefit children facing food insecurity. This funding helps us continue to meet rising demands and ensure that children have access to food when they need it most."
Orrville Area United Way is committed to strengthening local families and children through several Percy Programs, including the Weekend Backpack Program, Happy Feet, and Sweet Dreams. These initiatives specifically address critical needs in Dalton, Marshallville, and Orrville—providing food, footwear, and beds to children in need. The Weekend Backpack Program collaborates closely with Dalton and Orrville Schools, as well as The Salvation Army Orrville-Maiwurm Service Center, to ensure the program’s success and guarantee that kids do not go hungry over the weekend. This partnership ensures that children return to school ready to learn.
The growing demand for services and the rising costs of providing these resources make the funding from the Wayne County Community Foundation even more vital.
Orrville Area United Way is dedicated to sustaining and expanding these programs to better serve local families and children in need.
For more information about Percy’s Weekend Backpack Program or to learn how you can contribute, please visit www.orrvilleareaunitedway.org or contact Orrville Area United Way at 330-683-8181.