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Commentary courtesy of the United Way of Mower County

National Volunteer Month serves as a reminder of the power of giving time and heart to our  communities. United Way of Mower County is proud to recognize Dave and Brenda Raffelson for their unwavering commitment to fighting childhood hunger — work that has  helped bridge the past and future of food security for young students in Mower County.

For Dave and Brenda Raffleson, supporting the Backpack Program became a personal mission  rooted in compassion and community. When the founders of the St. Olaf Lutheran Church  Backpack Program asked them to step into leadership roles, they didn’t hesitate. Brenda, a  retired teacher’s aide, and Dave, a long-time Hormel employee, brought with them not only  years of experience working with children but also a deep understanding of how hunger  affects learning and development.

The St. Olaf program began more than 14 years ago as a grassroots effort by a church book  club looking to make a difference. It grew steadily, serving between 75 and 90 Head Start  students with the help of faithful volunteers and local support. When challenges like food  sourcing and supply limitations began impacting the program — especially during and after  the COVID-19 pandemic — Brenda and Dave helped guide the transition to join forces with  the United Way of Mower County Backpack Program.

With this partnership, the program expanded its reach from a single site to students across  the county — now serving over 1,000 kids each week. “It felt great to know that a program  started by a small group of ladies at St. Olaf is still alive and going strong,” Dave shares.

For the Raffelson’s, the impact is felt most in the little moments — the smiles, the  greetings, the children asking, “Is that our food bag?” — and the knowledge that their work  is making life a little easier for local families. Their dedication reflects what community  truly means: people coming together to care for one another, especially the youngest  among us.

“It totally warms my heart to help others,” Brenda says. “Just knowing that even a little bit  helps keeps us going.”

Their hope for the future reflects both their dedication and their ultimate wish: “That it will  continue to grow and help feed kids in Mower County,”Dave says. “Even better yet would  be one day where there are no hungry kids, and the Backpack Program is just a pleasant  memory.”

Both Brenda and Dave encourage others to get involved—whether through volunteering,  donating, or simply learning more. “Come and join us,” Brenda adds. “It’s a lot of fun, and  you get to meet many people and community groups that help.” Dave’s invitation is simple  and sincere: “Just stop down on a Monday afternoon and see for yourself how it works—it’s  pretty easy.”

The Backpack Program is proof that when a community comes together with a shared  purpose, the results are powerful. And thanks to volunteers like Brenda and Dave, that  purpose continues to grow—one food bag, one child, and one act of kindness at a time.

To learn more about the United Way of Mower County Backpack Program or get involved,  visit uwmower.org/backpackprogram.