Built by the Community for the Community—We are Almost There but Need Your Help.

By Kathy Steffen

The Community Food Pantry of Spring Green builds a stronger, more compassionate River Valley community thanks to those who donate time, money, and services, especially now that the Pantry is fundraising for a much-needed new building. In the past three years, the number of people the Pantry serves has grown by 89.95% (that is not a typo) helping 13,574 individuals in the last year. The donations for food, volunteers, and fundraising efforts have also grown.

One thing has not increased at all: the space currently utilized to serve River Valley residents in need. To say more space is needed is an understatement. Volunteers begin the day before distribution, moving food from several locations to the Pantry's current home.

"When I come in on distribution day and see the tables piled with food, I think, wow, this is a lot of work before we even start. Then, to see volunteers scooting around each other to get orders filled, it's clear how huge the need for a new building is," said long-time volunteer and distribution day Operations Manager, Rose Ellen Schneider. "I know times are hard and things are rough, but even donating a small amount of money is important to help get this building up."

From single donors to local businesses, our community has come together to help: food fundraisers where proceeds have gone into the building, thanks to Prem Meats, Culver's in Spring Green, and The Shed. S&D Builders in Spring Green are working with the board to complete the building as fundraising efforts continue, and local subcontractors have been generous and supportive in keeping building costs down.

"This is our town," Shannan Stephens of The Shed and S&D builders said. "We couldn't let someone from out of town do this who wouldn't care like we do."

The Shed has several fundraising events coming up, including a garage sale on the Shed patio (during the Spring Green garage sale weekend) and a golf outing, with all proceeds going to the Pantry. Another huge fundraiser is coming—a community calendar for purchase, with an opportunity to donate. Look for more information and National Honor Society Students selling them this spring/summer at local community events.

"I am a firm believer in making your community stronger," Nikki Stephens from The Shed said. "When you don't put into a community, especially smaller rural ones, they die. We believe in doing everything to keep our community strong."  Nikki is also an advocate of working hard so kids don't go hungry.

Hunger in children impacts brain development, affecting their attention, decision-making, learning, and mental health throughout their life, according to the Academic Pediatric Association.

"What it comes down to is we need to take care of each other," Nikki reaffirmed, "and you have to feed the kids."

When individual donors give what they can, they remind us that we are truly all in this together. Rose Ellen Schneider feels blessed to live in such a generous community and has donated to the building fund. When she began volunteering, she clearly saw why the Pantry is so important. "Our clients consist of many elderly people who are struggling to make ends meet. Many clients are working two jobs. Their salaries don't go far enough to cover what it costs today just to live. Even people who have two jobs can't quite make ends meet."

"The need is there. This is their reality."

Barbara Mott and her husband, Damian Barta, have also contributed to the building fund. Barbara, a distribution day volunteer, is grateful for the concrete method to help out. "From my first day, I saw how huge the need is. The community effort resonates when clients say thank you, smile at you, and give a thumbs up. You can see how important it is to them and feel their gratitude."

"It's real people who have real need."

We are getting closer to our goal of raising $750,000. As of this writing, we are $150,000 away which is not easy to raise. We need your help to get there. We are determined to cross the finish line with and for our community.

Whether you are a business or an individual looking to make a positive impact and strengthen your community, consider donating to the building fund. You can hand-deliver your much-appreciated contribution to People's Community Bank in Spring Green or Plain, WI. Or donate on the Community Food Pantry of Spring Green website (https://www.communityfoodpantryofspringgreen.org/) Or, you can mail your donation to: New Pantry Building Fund, P.O. Box 6, Spring Green, WI 53588. Please make donations payable to Food Pantry Building Fund.

And thank you!