Sheboygan's food bank needs your help to support 500 kids facing hunger next school year. Here's how to donate.
SHEBOYGAN – The Sheboygan County Food Bank is relaunching a crowdfunding campaign to support local students experiencing hunger on the weekends.
The Fund Food for Thought campaign hopes to raise $100,000 to help 500 kids facing hunger across 26 local schools in the 2024-25 school year.
The funds could help add 50 more students to the Food for Thought for Kids program, which supplies them with 10 food items, like fresh fruit and easy-to-eat food, for the weekends. The program was developed six years ago.
About 5,000 children in the county are experiencing hunger, according to SCFB, with families impacted by high grocery store prices and reduced government support. This can make students more vulnerable to being hungry on the weekends because they're away from free school meals.
“Every dollar donated, social media post shared, and text sent gets us one step closer to 500 kids right here in our community being nourished, healthier, better able to learn and cared for during the upcoming school year,” SCFB Executive Director Patrick Boyle said in a news release.
The food bank works with local teachers, counselors, principals and volunteers to identify students who need support. They see firsthand how hunger impacts students’ behaviors, emotional responses, academic performances and attendance, a news release said.
“This program has been amazing for our multi-cultural families,” said Marisol Muhs, Bilingual Family Liaison and After School Program coordinator for Sheridan Elementary School, where 35 students utilize the program. “I’ve received phone calls from the families saying how much they appreciate it and how much it helps.”
About 100 donors raised $30,000 for the Fund Food for Thought campaign last year within five weeks. An anonymous donor then raised the remaining $60,000.
“Together, we’re investing in kids’ well-being and success now and in the future,” Boyle said.
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How you can support the food bank's Fund Food for Thought campaign
Those interested in supporting the crowdfunding campaign can spread the word and donate. The food bank accepts any level of donation or a specific amount outlined below. Donations can be made in honor or memory of someone who has positively impacted you or your child, like a teacher, parent or coach.
Donations can be made online, by cash or check, with “Fund Food for Thought” on the memo or a note. They can be mailed to Sheboygan County Food Bank, 3115 N. 21st St., Suite No. 1 in Sheboygan.
Here's the impact a donation can have:
A $5 donation will feed one child for one weekend;
A $10 donation will feed two children for one weekend;
A $25 donation will feed five children for one weekend;
A $50 donation will feed one child for one quarter;
A $100 donation will feed one child for one semester;
A $200 donation will feed one child for the school year; and
A $1,000 donation will feed five children for the school year.
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Sheboygan County Food Bank will share progress toward $100,000 goal on social media
The food bank will share updates as it reaches $100,000, and more on why the program is critical for the community on social media pages like Instagram, Facebook and X, formerly Twitter.
Learn more ways to help at the Fund Food for Thought campaign promotional toolkit page.
Have a story tip?Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @alexx_garner.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan County Food Bank campaign aims to give kids weekend meals
