UNITED WAY OF BEMIDJI AREA

Community impact initiatives - united way identifies a limited number of critical issues (gaps in services or emerging needs) where action is required and develops impact strategies and programs in response. The united way of bemidji area backpack buddies program is a food pack program that ensures bemidji area children experiencing food insecurity and hunger have access to nutritional, easy-to-prepare and non-perishable food on weekends and during school holidays and breaks. The united way of bemidji area's holiday gifts for kids program collects chirstmas gifts and distributes them to area children in need. Other initiatives include: coats for the community, the earned income and child tax credit outreach and awareness campaign, familywize, a free prescription discount card for the uninsured, and the venture grant program which provides one-time funding to agencies and programs for the development of new or expansion of existing programs.