United Way of Central Ohio partners with nonprofits across our community to strengthen families in numerous neighborhoods. As poverty has spread to Franklin County’s suburbs, so have our investments. With support from United Way, Festa feeds hundreds of children each summer when free and reduced lunches through school are not available.
Last summer, we helped Festa’s Free Summer Lunch program serve 606 children representing 43 nationalities and 17 ZIP codes. The eight-week camp served 6,505 lunches and 1,315 breakfasts, saving families an average of $43.75 per week.
Festa camps are located in the suburbs where poverty has spread, but free camps and food are not as accessible to families as in the inner city. Summer camps reduce food insecurity and learning loss, and provide peace of mind for working parents who are on tight budgets.
One parent shared, “I was not able to afford daycare and my child would have been very lonely. This made a huge impact for us.”
Your gift to United Way helps nonprofits like Festa provide caring role models, nutritious meals and valuable learning experiences for our community’s children.
