DODGEVILLE — The 2021 Weekend Food Programs Annual Report has been released. Through a partnership between 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, weekend foods are provided to participating students in these Districts at no cost to the district or student.  

During 2021, 5,971 weekend food packs were issued to students in these seven Districts. Here’s how the partnership works. SWCAP donates administrative functions, maintaining separate accounts for each District; volunteers fundraise, transport foods to the schools, and write grants to support the purchase of the foods through Second Harvest Food Bank. Second Harvest’s purchasing power provides low-cost nutritious foods to participating students. Each District provides an in-kind contribution to the program through the confidential distribution of foods to students. Only the District knows the identity of the student and the only expense to this program is the cost of food through Second Harvest.

Are these foods needed? Two reports indicate the likelihood of food insecurity within students in these Districts.

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s School Report Cards 2020—2021 indicate the percentage of students who are ‘Economically Disadvantaged” in each of the districts:

Albany 39.2%

Black Hawk 51.6%

Brodhead 48.4%

Juda 67.5%

Monticello 44.5%

New Glarus 21.4%

Pecatonica 36.5%

United Way’s ALICE report for the Wisconsin Counties of Green and Lafayette also shows a sizeable percentage of households whose income is not keeping pace with the cost of living. ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — households that earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but less than the basic cost of living for the county (the ALICE Threshold). This is the percentage of households in poverty/ALICE. 

Village of Albany 36%

Vill. of Blanchardville (Pecatonica) 31%

City of Brodhead 43%

Vill. of Gratiot (Black Hawk) 37%

Jefferson Township (Juda) 31%

Vill. of Monticello 34%

Vill. of New Glarus 23%

Vill. of South Wayne (Black Hawk) 48%

These programs are not government funded and rely on the generosity of the community. Those interested in supporting these programs can write checks payable to SWCAP along with the name of the school you wish to support. SWCAP’s address is 149 N Iowa Street, Dodgeville WI 53533. 

The Weekend Food Programs for Students is proud to partner with the United Way of Green County. For a full copy of the 2021 Annual Report, please contact Jeannie Blumer at kjblumer@tds.net.