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 Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending hunger through community partnerships in southwestern Wisconsin, serving nearly 141,000 people who struggle to put food on the table, including 43 percent who are children. Through food and financial donations and volunteer support, Second Harvest Foodbank acquires and distributes food to 350 partner agencies, including emergency food pantries, in 16 counties.
In fiscal year 2010 (July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010), Second Harvest Foodbank distributed 8.1 million pounds of food and is on pace to distribute more than 10 million pounds of food in fiscal year 2011 (July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011). Since its 1986 inception, the Foodbank has distributed more than 64 million pounds of food.
Second Harvest Foodbank is also a United Way donor designation agency. For every dollar contributed, $0.94 goes directly to programs. In addition to food acquisition and distribution, Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin administers these programs:
- BackPack Program: Backpacks filled with nutritious food provide nourishment on long weekends and other out-of-school times for children at risk of hunger. The BackPack Program, in partnership with community agencies, currently serves more than 800 children who reside in the school districts located in Elroy, Evansville and Tomah.
- Kids Cafe Program: In partnership with neighborhood-based organizations, Second Harvest Foodbank operates eight Kids Cafes in Dane County where youth receive free, wholesome meals and snacks and participate in nutrition education and academic and recreational activities. From July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010, the Foodbank's Kids Cafes have provided more than 128,000 meals and more than 1,600 hours of nutrition education to children.
- Food Rescue Program: Each week, the Food Rescue Program's recovers a variety of nutritious produce, dairy, meat, bakery, frozen products and shelf stable items from 50 retail grocery businesses throughout Second Harvest Foodbank's 16-county service area. Between July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010, the program acquired 2.1 million pounds of food.
- FoodShare Outreach Program: Second Harvest Foodbank's FoodShare Outreach Program helps ensure people at risk of hunger and potentially eligible for FoodShare Wisconsin (food stamp) benefits are aware of how to obtain these benefits. It also meets larger community needs by drawing down federal dollars into the local economy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates each $5 in FoodShare benefits results in $9.20 in economic activity.
- Mobile Pantry Program: Second Harvest Foodbank's Mobile Pantry Program supplements the work of partner food pantries, shelters and meal sites that operate in fixed locations. In partnership with a member agency, Second Harvest Foodbank trucks fresh and non-perishable groceries to a neighborhood site at a prescheduled time for immediate distribution to hundreds of residents. From July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010, the Mobile Pantry Program distributed nearly three million pounds of food – a 14 percent increase since the previous time period.
Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin is one of 200 member food banks of Feeding America, the nation's largest charitable hunger-relief organization, engaging our country in the fight to end hunger. For more information about Second Harvest Foodbank, visit www.secondharvestmadison.org.
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