OUR PROGRAMS

United Way’s Families First program addresses the growing issue of homelessness in the Greater Grand Forks region. The Families First program prioritizes securing stable housing for families with children. We provide emergency shelter, housing and utility assistance, case management services and work to connect families with community resources. Together, we ensure parents and children have a safe place to call home.

Every child deserves to have basic necessities such as clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, and other items they need to succeed. The Kidz Closet accepts donations of new or gently used items. Donations are distributed to families in need right here in our community, free of charge. We have permanent Kidz Closet locations in Emerado, Larimore, and Minto. In addition, we host Kidz Closet Pop-Up Events in the spring and summer allowing families in need to access essential items in their hometowns.

The Backpack Program fights to end childhood hunger by providing bags of food in low-income students’ backpacks to feed them for the weekend. We serve students in the East Grand Forks School District, East Grand Forks Head Start Program, Grand Forks Head Start Program, Mayville State Head Start Program in Grand Forks, Larimore Elementary School, and the SAIL Program through the Grand Forks Public School System. Together, we are ensuring no child goes hungry over the weekend.

The Larimore Food Pantry provides emergency groceries for those in need. We strive to connect hungry families and individuals with wholesome food to tide them over during times of crisis. The Food Pantry serves families and individuals living in Larimore and surrounding rural communities. Together, we are fighting to end hunger in our community, providing our neighbors with hot meals and full hearts.

United Way has partnered with Safe Kids Grand Forks to ensure all children are kept safe when traveling in a vehicle. Car Seats for Kids is a collaboration that works to provide families in need with car seats at little to no cost. Together, we are minimizing the risk of injury to children in our community.

United Way partners with local social service agencies to warm the hearts and hands of children in our community. United Way collects NEW toys, games, and gift cards for children of all ages. These gifts are given to children enrolled in United Way's programs and children in the foster care system during the holiday season.