United, we can address hunger

This year’s United Way Community Food Drive 2025, powered by the spirit of giving across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties, brought together workplaces, local businesses, nonprofits, schools, and individuals in a united effort to fight food insecurity in Northern New York.

From April through June, our community stepped up in a big way to gather healthy food and personal care donations to help sustain under-resourced families and children during the summer months when school is not in session. Working together, we helped ease the burden on these families, ensuring that children receive the nourishment they need to learn, grow, and thrive – and that’s no small thing!

The generosity of our community partners and sponsors does more than fill tables and pantries; it fills hearts with hope and reminds us that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a major impact when we Live United!

Small Acts, Big Impact: By the Numbers

· 13,500 Items Donated

· 53 Participating Organizations and Businesses Collected Donations

· Over $400 collected by individuals and organizations through online giving

· 78 Volunteers Helped Sort, Count, and Distribute the Donations on June 4th

· 25+ Local Pantries and Programs Supported Across the North Country

1 in every 5 children in the North Country is facing food insecurity. United we can change that!

Last year, more than 35,000 North Country residents, including 10,000 children, struggled with food insecurity. Summer break from school compounds the risk of hunger. When school meals are not available, household food budgets are stretched to the limit and beyond. This puts families at risk of not getting enough to eat. UNITED, we can change that!

While the 2025 Community Food Drive event at Walmart has passed, we are continuing to collect donations to keep supporting North Country pantries and programs through the summer months and ask that you consider making a gift today as hunger does not stop once a food drive has concluded – it is an ongoing battle.

A little goes a long way, and any contribution you can make will have a tangible impact on a friend or neighbor who is at risk of going without enough food. Those who have experienced hunger firsthand understand how debilitating it can be, particularly for children. Adequate nutrition is crucial for their ability to learn, grow, and thrive. The risk of hunger compounds during the summer months. Let’s work united to change that!