PROJECT JOY BAGS

In the summer of 2023, Union Gospel Mission partnered with the Project Joy organization to tackle childhood summer hunger.

"We realized that there was a gap in the Northland for kids to access free meals during weekends when youth programs are closed. We knew the Mission had the capacity to assemble and distribute food bags to kids, but we needed the funds to kick start this initiative. We approached Project Joy and, without hesitation, they provided us with a generous donation to get started." - Katie Hagglund, UGM Executive Director

Project Joy food bags are filled at UGM with easy-to-open, easy-to-prepare items. The bags are then delivered on Thursday mornings to local youth organizations like the Boys and Girls Club in Lincoln Park, Damiano’s Kids’ Kitchen, Neighborhood Youth Services, Valley Youth Center and the Gary-New Duluth Community Center. The bags are then dispersed directly by these programs to kids in need of weekend food assistance. The program runs for 12 weeks throughout the summer.

Contact us via email, or at (218) 722-1196, with additional questions or to sign your youth program up to become a distribution partner.