News

Operation Picnic is Fighting Summer Hunger

Feed My People is raising funds through its fourth annual "Operation Picnic" summer campaign to provide food to those facing hunger in west central Wisconsin. Thanks to generous matching sponsors, every dollar raised July 1-14, up to $35,000, will be matched to help reach its goal of 140,000 meals funded.  

Yes, I want my gift matched and to fight summer hunger!

Summer is a challenging time of the year for many local families. With school no longer taking care of at least one daily meal, that gap causes strain on budgets already stretched thin by the high cost of living. Operation Picnic provides an opportunity to fund extra summer pop-up grocery distributions and other programs reaching kids, families, and individuals facing hunger this summer. 

Ten local businesses and individuals have joined together to be Operation Picnic matching sponsors, including the Picnic Champion ($10,000), Markquart Motors GMC Buick. Craig Geissler, internet sales and marketing manager for Markquart Motors, spoke on why they chose to be a sponsor: "Markquart Motors GMC Buick supports an amazing organization like Feed My People because as a community-oriented business, we feel people come first.  We are proud to serve this wonderful community, and helping give area organizations the resources needed to make lives better is a priority."  

As a part of Operation Picnic, a special food packing event will be held on Thursday, July 13 at the food bank. Over 80 volunteers from Operation Picnic business sponsors will come together throughout the morning to assemble bags of food to be distributed at pop-up events, backpack programs, food pantries, meal sites, and more. Additional volunteer slots are available to community members from 12-2 pm through online registration.

To donate to Operation Picnic, please go to give.fmpfoodbank.org/OperationPicnic no later than July 14, 2023. Our generous sponsors will match every dollar up to $35,000, so this is a chance to double the impact of every gift.  

Picnic Partner sponsors ($5,000) include Bush Brothers & Company, Frandsen Bank & Trust, Royal Credit Union, and Scheels. Watermelon Winner sponsors ($1,000) include Blue Foundation, Elite Extra, Marieke Gouda, North Point Advisor Group, and an anonymous donor.