NEW GLARUS — Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program (SWCAP), Second Harvest Food Bank, and the School Districts of Albany, Black Hawk, Brodhead, Juda, Monticello, New Glarus and Pecatonica would like to publicly acknowledge a grant provided by Only In Wisconsin Giving to support the Weekend Food Backpack Programs in these seven School Districts. As Beau Bridges’ quote states, kids need our love to end hunger, and Only in Wisconsin Giving has shown love to our students through this and prior grant awards.

One of the goals of Only in Wisconsin Giving, the charitable arm of New Glarus Brewing Company, is to support local programs fighting food insecurity.

“No child should have to wonder where their next meal is coming from and that is why it is vitally important to support organizations and programs that are seeking to end this issue,” said Scott May, President, Only in Wisconsin Giving, Inc. “Only in Wisconsin Giving is proud to partner with these local backpack food programs to make sure our community children have the resources they need to lead healthy and successful lives.”

The Weekend Food Backpack Programs was created in Sept. 2018. It is a partnership between SWCAP, Second Harvest Food Bank in Madison, and the School Districts of Albany, Black Hawk, Juda, Monticello, and New Glarus, and was formed to address weekend student food insecurity within their students.

In Sept. 2019, the School Districts of Brodhead and Pecatonica joined the group. The seven programs provide weekend foods to students at no cost to the School District, taxpayers, family/caretaker or student. The only cost to the program is the cost of food, and all revenues for these programs come from donations and grants, such as the grant from Only In Wisconsin Giving. All labor and administrative costs are provided through donated and volunteer services.

During 2022, the seven districts issued 7,421 weekend food bags to students.

Those who wish to donate to any of these programs can send their donation to SWCAP, 149 N Iowa Street, Dodgeville, WI, 53533, a 501(c)(3), and ear-mark the donation for the school the donor wishes to support. SWCAP maintains separate accounts for each of the seven weekend food programs.

When we work to end childhood hunger, we are giving our love to kids who need it so much they will never ask for it.

— Beau Bridges