by Kristina Kuhaupt, Customer Experience Manager
As We Look Forward
What do you look forward to as the year begins to close out? For me, it is the general warmth and depth of the fall season which simply makes me appreciative to live in this state. It is looking around at my friends and family in gratitude for their continual presence in my life. It is the general knowledge that I am fortunate to be in a space where my housing and food for the year is most likely secure. This time of the year presents many new possibilities as well as opportunities to look around one’s self to pause and reflect on how we impact those around us, what we are doing well, and how we can keep improving propelled by a grateful heart.
DOUBLE DOLLARS MATCH CAMPAIGN
Supporting Local Food Pantries through your donations!
The last two months of the year are an impactful time to help support local families gain food security. Starting November 1 and running until December 31, the Co-op will give a 1:1 match on your cash donations and bag reuse, up to $15,000 by providing Pantries of Plenty donations to our five neighborhood food pantries: Goodman Community Center Fritz Food Pantry, Lussier Community Education Center, Middleton Outreach Ministry, The River Food Pantry, and Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center. The match will be split five ways through Co-op gift cards for the pantries to acquire fresh items that are harder to come by in the winter season. The Pantries of Plenty Double Dollars Match is made possible through abandoned and donated Owner equity over the years. Last year, with donations to the Double Dollars Fund from Co-op shoppers, we met our match of $10,000, and we were able to provide $2,000 of gift cards to each of our five partner food pantries. Thank you for your continued support to make this partnership possible! This year we increased the match to $15,000 to increase the impact to pantries still feeling the impact of COVID in our community and the extra strain it has been for our local food pantries.
As a reminder, Double Dollars is a community supported program by the City of Madison and Dane County administered by the Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin. From late fall to mid-spring, Double Dollars are available at the Co-op, and from June to late fall, Double Dollars are available at participating farmers’ markets while funds last. The vouchers are mainly supported by cash donations and when customers reuse grocery bags to shop at the Co-op. If you prefer an e-commerce platform to donate, Double Dollars Fund contributions can be made at shop.willystreet.coop and search “Double Dollars” to find donation options.
Highlighting Our Local Food Pantry Partners
Eastside locations
Goodman Community Center Fritz Food Pantry
This center first opened in 1954 in the Atwood neighborhood to help develop rich content for children and older adult programs. As time progressed, they grew into two historical locations, the Ironworks and Brassworks buildings holding many opportunities for the community. Their food pantry is located in the Ironworks building, where they serve approximately 200 households each and every week with fresh produce, dairy products, eggs, meat, cheese, and dry goods every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Additionally, every Tuesday they provide curbside pantry hours for those who are more comfortable with this option. They do not require pre-registration, lowering barriers of entry. Visit their website for more information on giving and specific hours of pantry operations!
Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center
This Neighborhood Center started in 1968, and now provides many services to the community, including youth programs, rental space for local organizations and activities, producing several beloved east-side festivals, including La Fête de Marquette, and providing many community services, including their food pantry, which is open on Wednesdays. They predominantly serve the 53703 and 53704 zip codes, but no one is turned away. In addition to the food pantry, their community services consist of: free weekend meals, second chance program, which gives opportunities to gain work experience for individuals who may not have the background or references to gain full employment at this time, garden plot leasing, and hosting the Eastside Farmers’ Winter Market. For more detailed information on all these offerings, please visit wil-mar.org.
Westside locations
Lussier Community Education Center
This Education Center, resides in the Gammon Road area neighborhood, celebrating over 40 years of being a resource for the community they serve. In October of 2007, they opened their resources in the location you see today which is on school-owned land adjacent to Jefferson Middle School and Memorial High School. Their food pantry is open Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings. They provide shoppers with nutritionally balanced food items up to 20 times per year. Additionally, they offer the community access to computers, phones, and other telecommunications during office hours as well as put on community activities during Saturday afternoons. Their website is lcecmadison.org.
Middleton Outreach Ministry
This organization was originally established in 1980 and grew into one of the largest hosting food pantries in Dane County. MOM has partnerships with Second Harvest Food Bank, Community Action Coalition, and receives support from local foundations and businesses, in addition they have an established 200+ volunteer network to assist in bringing pantry staples and personal care items to those who need it. Their food pantry is open from Tuesday through Saturday, and they require you to register and check in prior to your visit. In addition to their main site, they offer a mobile food pantry, food pantry garden, and they maintain school nutritional partnerships to help kids stay fueled during school. Although they are well known in the area for this quality service, they additionally provide a large clothing center, housing assistance, senior program, and seasonal programs throughout the year, including a back-to-school supply drive, Thanksgiving baskets, and Winter Wishes gift card program. Their service area covers the Middleton Cross Plains School District and part of the west side of Madison. For more information on all their offerings, please visit: momhelps.org.
Northside location
The River Food Pantry
This food pantry was founded in 2006 in the Northport/Packers Avenue neighborhood, and it is the busiest South Central Wisconsin food pantry. In 2021, they served more than 11,000 individuals facing food insecurity, providing curb-side groceries Tuesday through Friday including non-perishables, perishables, and other essential supplies. Many households receive an average of 100 pounds of groceries per visit. In addition, freshly prepared meals are available for pickup or delivery. These Fam-at-Home pre-prepared meals provide balanced, nutritious portions for families to eat at home, up to four times each week for everyone in their household; an amazing service!! In 2016, The River, launched their mobile meals program called Munch. This service delivers free meals to children and adults to help bridge the gap that exists when school lunch is not available. This service is offered to over a dozen neighborhoods throughout Madison, Monday through Saturday. For more information on specific times of service for all their offerings, please visit: riverfoodpantry.org.
Have a wonderful holiday season
Lastly, I want to take this opportunity to wish you a joyful, warm, and enjoyable holiday season! I am excited that we are able to increase our funding for local food pantries this year with your help during November and December, to continue to bring us all closer together in unity around the dinner table, appreciating each other in one collective society…striving for a better tomorrow.