Healthy Community | United Way of South Wood & Adams Counties

United Way of South Wood & Adams Counties logo next to Healthy Community Coalition Logo

GOAL: IMPROVING HEALTH AND WELL-BEING FOR ALL.

OVER 190 VOLUNTEERS MADE AN IMPACT THROUGH STOCKBOXES, UNITED WE CAN, AND THE HEALTHY COMMUNITY COALITION IN 2025.

SENIOR SUPPORT

Seniors are the largest growing segment of ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households. 49% of Wood County seniors and 50% of Adams County seniors live below the ALICE threshold. United Way's investment in partner programs helps seniors access the care and support they need - meaning they can retain a high quality of life while living independently as long as possible.

897 seniors in south Wood & Adams counties received support services through partner programs to improve their quality of life in 2025.
Over 20,250 pounds of food was provided to seniors with financial need through the Stockboxes program in 2025.

MENTAL HEALTH

Mental health issues impact multiple aspects of a person's life, and delays in mental health treatment can lead to increased development of chronic co-existing mental and physical disorders. When people do not have access to affordable, quality mental health care in a stigma free environment, they are more likely to engage in potentially dangerous self-treatment (such as legal & illegal substance abuse).

1,161 professional mental health visits were made accessible through United Way funding in 2025.

FITNESS

Proximity to exercise opportunities, such as parks and recreation facilities, has been linked to an increase in physical activity. Regular physical activity has a wide array of health benefits including weight control, muscle and bone strengthening, improved mental health and mood, and improved life expectancy. United Way supports access to these areas, regardless of income.

2,370 individuals received access to programs and services to improve physical fitness and well-being in 2025.

FOOD ACCESS

Many ALICE households, despite struggling financially, do not qualify for FoodShare benefits due to their income. United Way's investments in partner programs means food programs in south Wood and Adams counties have the resources and support to help ALICE families in times of need.

In 2025, partner programs & Healthy Community Coalition partners provided community members access to food 61,734 times.
4,750 pounds of food were donated to local food programs from United We Can in 2026.
10,848 individuals received access to food from Adams County partner programs in 2025.

BACKPACK MEALS

Nearly 1/3 of financially struggling households report not having enough food for their children to eat. United Way helps ALICE families keep food on the table by investing in backpack programs which provide families with ingredients for weekend meals.

6,690 backpacks filled with weekend meals were sent home through backpack meal programs in 2025.

Source: Healthy Community Coalition, United Way of South Wood & Adams Counties, United Way of Wisconsin ALICE Report 2026, UWSWAC Partner Programs, UWSWAC's Volunteer Data

SUCCESS STORY

Earlier this year, a single mother of three visited a local food organization after experiencing an unexpected reduction in work hours that left her struggling to afford groceries. She shared that she had been skipping meals so her children would have enough to eat and was unsure how she would make it through the month.
The local organization was able to support her family through multiple programs, all supported by United Way. She received a balanced supply of nutritious food from the food pantry, including fresh produce, dairy products, proteins, and pantry staples to help feed her family for the next 7-10 days. She also began attending the weekly meals program, where her family could enjoy a hot, nutritious meal together, reducing both food costs and the stress of meal preparation. In addition, her children were enrolled in the backpack program, ensuring they had nutritious, child-friendly meals and snacks to take home each weekend when school meals were unavailable.
Several weeks later, she returned to express her gratitude, explaining that the combination of pantry food, weekly community meals, and weekend backpacks allowed her to redirect limited income toward rent and utilities while ensuring her children never had to go without nutritious food. She shared that the support gave her family peace of mind during a difficult transition and helped them regain stability as her work hours improved.
Her experience demonstrates the strength of the organization's coordinated approach to addressing food insecurity. By connecting families with multiple programs that work together, the organization, with help from United Way’s investment, can provide both immediate relief and ongoing support, helping households navigate temporary hardship with dignity, hope, and confidence.