Weekend on Wheels

In a school district where nearly 35% of the student population qualifies for free or reduced price lunches, it begs the question: what families can afford to feed children when they are not in school? For some students, the last meal of the week comes on Friday in the form of a government-aided free lunch from the school’s cafeteria.

To combat this problem, the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District created Weekend on Wheels (WOW). Each weekend throughout the school year, MRH students and staff prepare nutritious food packages to support MRH families in need. 

The district-wide WOW Steering Committee comprises MRH staff from each of the District’s schools. In order to continue our weekly support services, the WOW Steering Committee develops fundraising strategies, organizes food drives, and works with local businesses and faith organizations to secure donations for families in need within our community.

WOW is an entirely donation-based program. Nonperishable food items are donated by the local faith community, neighboring school communities, and MRH families and community members. Business partners across the St. Louis area, as well as other area school districts, donate boxes used for weekend food package deliveries. 

WOW sends home approximately 1,440 boxes of food each school year. Each WOW box has an estimated value of $50.

Monetary donations are primarily applied to the purchase of grocery cards, used to support families during extended breaks from school. The amount needed to fund this annual support typically runs between $11,100 - $15,000

Monetary donations can be made at any time. Please make checks out to “MRH School District” and note “WOW” in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to 2531 S. Big Bend Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63143.

Please do not mail cash or gift cards.

Make a direct financial donation

Print a WOW shopping list

Food donations via Amazon.com can be purchased at any time.

You can purchase food from other stores. Please schedule a time to deliver your donations by contacting naomi warren or by calling 314-446-3816.

If you are a parent in the MRH School District, you can also donate online through the My School Bucks payment portal. Please note that this option is currently only available to MRH families.

Meal Starters

• 1 box of plain pasta
• 2 cans of tuna, chicken, etc.
• 1 jar of peanut butter
• 1 box of cereal OR
• 3-5 packets of oatmeal

Sides

• 3 packages of Ramen OR
• 1 box of Mac & Cheese
• 2 cans of tomatoes or 1 jar of
• tomato sauce
• 2-4 cans of veggies
• 2-3 cans of beans
• 1 jar of jelly

Canned meals

• 2-3 cans of soup
• 2 cans spaghetti/sloppy Joes
• Fruit (add 1 of the following)
• 2 cans (peaches, pineapple, etc.)
• 3-4 applesauce or fruit cups
• Snacks (pick 2 of the following)
• 4-6 Granola Bars
• 2 packs of Poptarts
• Package of trail mix
• Popcorn
• Dessert (pick 1 if available)
• 1 box of mix
• 1-2 boxes of Jello
• 1 package of cookies