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Join Community Leaders Wednesday, August 13 & Thursday, August 21 at Nemer Ford to Support Local Youth Across Our Service Area
Monday, June 23, 2025 – Tri-County United Way, in collaboration with Nemer Auto Group, Lions Club of Glens Falls, Charles R. Wood Foundation, The Post-Star, and a growing list of community partners, is proud to announce the official launch of the 2025–2026 ‘Kids With Packs program’, an annual initiative dedicated to equipping students across Warren, Washington, and Northern Saratoga Counties with the tools they need to succeed in the classroom.
This community-driven effort will provide hundreds of fully stocked backpacks filled with school supplies to students in need and will extend broader support to thousands of students throughout Tri-County United Way’s service area through deep partnerships with local schools.
WHY IT MATTERS: SUPPORTING ALICE HOUSEHOLDS
The ‘Kids With Packs’ program is designed to serve ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) individuals and families who are working but struggling to survive. ALICE households earn above the federal poverty level but still fall short of affording the basic cost of living, such as rent, childcare, transportation, and school supplies. In New York State, this includes families of four earning less than $75,800 per year, even though they do not qualify for traditional public assistance.
These families often go unnoticed in discussions about poverty and assistance but they represent a growing and critical portion of our local population. The ‘Kids With Packs’ initiative helps relieve some of the financial pressure at the start of the school year, ensuring children are equipped with the supplies they need to learn with confidence and dignity.
VOLUNTEER EVENTS AT NEMER FORD: MAKE A DIRECT IMPACT
Tri-County United Way invites the public, community leaders, organizations, and civic groups to participate in two key events at Nemer Ford, a long-standing program partner and host:
- Wednesday, August 13, 2025 – Inventory & Set-Up Day
Time: 10:00 AM
Volunteers will sort and organize thousands of school supplies in preparation for distribution. - Thursday, August 21, 2025 – Community Packing Day
Time: 10:00 AM
Volunteers will pack over hundreds of backpacks alongside local business partners to be distributed to students across the Tri-County United Way service area.
A BROADER MISSION: UNITED IN PURPOSE
In addition to the backpack distribution, Tri-County United Way’s is hosting ‘United In Purpose,’ which works throughout the year to provide direct support to over a dozen schools. These efforts include tailored supplies, hygiene items, winter gear, and other necessities that directly respond to needs identified by school personnel and social workers. This year-round commitment reflects Tri-County United Way’s mission to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities.
The organization’s core focus is on advancing education, health, and financial stability for individuals and families across its service area.
GET INVOLVED AND HELP LOCAL STUDENTS SUCCEED
To learn more and get involved, contact Laura Jensen at [email protected]. Whether you’re an individual, part of a business team, or involved in a community group, your time and effort can make a real difference in the lives of students throughout the Tri-County United Way service area.
Tri-County United Way extends heartfelt appreciation to the generous sponsors and partners supporting this year’s Kids With Packs program, including Nemer Ford, The Post-Star, the Lions Club of Glens Falls, Travelers, Arrow Bank, JMZ Architects, Target, the Glens Falls Symphony, and the Charles R. Wood Foundation.
For more information about Tri-County United Way and their initiatives, please visit www.tricountyunitedway.org. To learn more about the ALICE population, visit: www.tricountyunitedway.org/what-we-do/alice-report/.
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About Tri-County United Way: Tri-County United Way is an organization dedicated to helping people. We work to improve lives and make a positive impact in our communities by raising resources, both monetary and volunteer. We strive to do this through collaboration with others, encouraging volunteerism, and resolving community problems through identifying and communicating our community’s priority issues.
PRESS CONTACT:
Laura Jensen, Director of Community Engagement
[email protected]
(518) 793-3136 ext. 102