Clare Area Weekend Backpack Program, Inc

05/20/2026

The support we receive truly makes a difference!

05/14/2026

We have about 40 small-medium sized boxes, if anyone has a need. They are 9 1/2” tall. Not sure of the length and width but could be great moving boxes for smaller items.

Please message us to claim them. We will hold them for someone until May 18. Otherwise, they will get recycled.

Thank you!

05/14/2026

A great resource for families this summer!

Clare Public Schools will be offering FREE Non-congregate 7 day meal kits this summer for ANYONE 0-18 years of age or up to 26 with special needs. These meal kits contain 7 breakfasts and 7 lunches. Meal pick up will be every Wednesday starting June 3rd, 2025 from 2pm-3:30pm at the Clare Primary School Main Entrance. If you are interested in receiving these meals please use the meal sign up below or listed on our website.

https://forms.gle/QeJ42NUfkH7DHHbE9

Please direct any questions to Taylor Roberts, Director of Food Service at [email protected] or 989-386-1258.

05/08/2026

This fundraiser is a huge help for our program!! Our annual expenses are estimated at $10,800, depending on how many kids we are feeding over the school year. Every donation keeps us going and helps us feed kids who may otherwise go hungry on the weekend! Your support matters!!

Every Friday afternoon across Clare and Gladwin Counties, hundreds of children leave school carrying more than homework in their backpacks. Some are carrying the uncertainty of not knowing if there will be enough food at home for the weekend.

For many local kids, the meals they receive at school on Friday may be the last reliable meals they have until Monday morning.

That’s why United Way of Clare and Gladwin Counties is asking for your help during our 3rd Annual Weekend Backpack Program fundraiser.

Our goal is to raise $25,000 by the end of May to support weekend backpack programs in:
❤️ Beaverton
❤️ Gladwin
❤️ Clare
❤️ Farwell
❤️ Harrison

The best part? Every dollar stays LOCAL and goes directly back to these school programs.

And thanks to generous community partners:
⭐ Camp Deer Trails in Harrison will match the first $5,000 donated
⭐ United Way of Clare and Gladwin Counties will match the next $5,000

That means we only need to raise $15,000 as a community to fully reach our goal!

No gift is too small. To a hungry child, even a small donation can mean comfort, nutrition, hope, and knowing their community cares.

Please help us make sure local children do not go hungry over the weekend. ❤️

You can donate online by clicking on this link and where it says "I would like my gift to go to...", please select the" 2026 weekend backpack matching grant" option. It's tax deductible, easy and important!!!

https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/INyjsw

See the attached flyer for donation information and ways to give. Please like, comment and share, share, share, because in the end, this is all about our kids, and don't we all want to make their childhood a little brighter?

04/23/2026

For any families in our area who may need food assistance this summer, Farwell Schools is offering an opportunity for breakfast and lunch pickup. Please see the post for details!

Summer Meals Survey Our food service department would like to know how many families would be interested in participating in a weekly pick up and go summer meal program. The meals would be free for all children in the area 18 years and under regardless of address or school attended. This program wou...

04/11/2026

We were very blessed by the Clare Save-A-Lot with a large donation of canned goods and macaroni and cheese. We truly appreciate all of the kid-friendly food donations we receive! Thank you to local businesses that keep us going! When it’s $700 a week to buy food for all of our families, every little bit makes a big difference!

04/08/2026

Parker is melting our hearts!! This act of kindness and generosity is something for all of us to admire 🥰 We are so thankful for the time and efforts that so many people put in to support our mission of helping children in our community. Thank you again to the United Way of Clare and Gladwin Counties for continuing to support us and this community 🩷🎒

We know the future is bright for all of us because of kiddos like Parker. She has the heart of a volunteer and truly plans and works towards helping others all the time.

I've worked with Parker many times as she has raised funds to help others in our community. For this fundraising event, Parker decided that she wanted to raise money to help feed other kids through the Clare Area Weekend Backpack Program, Inc. Her parents and grandma play a big role in helping her bring those plans together.

The United Way of Clare and Gladwin Counties was proud to match Parker's donation and double her impact to $600!! Whomever thinks that a child can't change the world has never met Parker!!

Thanks Parker for your kind heart and helping hands!!!

01/29/2026

How about some amazing news to start this Thursday? We received an anonymous donation this month for $1,000. We are incredibly grateful for this as our program is 100% donation funded! This will make such a difference for the program and keeping us going!

We are thankful for all of our donations and volunteers who weekly pack bags and pick up groceries and deliver the bags to the schools. We serve all 4 buildings of Clare Public Schools. Without you, this wouldn't be possible. Our families come and go as needs change. We're thankful we can keep being a steady source for kids and families to count on.

You can support us through PayPal donations, Facebook Donations and mailing checks to CAWBP @ 3306 E Herrick Rd, Clare MI 48617.

Every $1 goes to food and backpacks for our families!
THANK YOU!!!

Send a message to learn more

12/21/2025

We received a donation in honor of Lisa Poet this Christmas. We are so blessed by every donation and thankful for our community of supporters. Each donation stays local and supports families from Clare Schools.

Thank you to all our donors and thank you for all you give!

12/12/2025

We received some happy/sad mail today! Thank you to the Faith United Methodist Church in Barryton for an amazing donation to help our families this holiday season! We are very sad to hear of your closure.

8 or 9 years ago we attended this church and met some wonderful people. Our hearts are with you this holiday season.

Every donation supports our families and helps us provide weekend backpacks of food for kids who might otherwise struggle to have a meal when school is out. If you are looking for a place to donate, your funds will be used wisely and 100% goes to food. Our amazing team of volunteers make miracles happen every week!