Middleton Meals Matter, the student-run nonprofit organization led by Middleton High School students dedicated to fighting food insecurity, was awarded a $3,000 grant from By Youth For Youth.
By Youth For Youth (BYFY) is a collaborative program of high school students that makes investment decisions in youth-led programming in Dane County. Middleton Meals Matter leaders accepted the grant in a ceremony on April 28, along with the group’s advisor and Assistant Athletic Director Brad Crandell.
“We will be using the BYFY funding to hold an inaugural event called A Taste of Change: Celebrating One Year of Middleton Meals Matter,” said Middleton High School senior and Middleton Meals Matter co-founder Noah Duckett. “This gala event will consist of a fundraiser, keynote speakers, and food for the audience to celebrate all that Middleton Meals Matter has done this year.”
Middleton Meals Matter will announce the gala date, time and location soon. Beyond funding the gala event, Duckett shared the impact the grant has made on the group’s mission of ensuring that everyone has access to nutritious meals – while inspiring the next generation of volunteers.
“Receiving this recognition truly allows us to feel a sense of pride in what we are doing,” Duckett said. “Moreover, receiving any recognition means that we are able to further combat food and housing insecurity within our community. It's so special seeing an organization like BYFY being a catalyst for youth advocacy and change, and we are proud to be a part of the change.”
Week Against Hunger Food Drives
Middleton Meals Matter is continuing to drive change with a series of events that begins on Sunday, May 4.
On May 4, Middleton Meals Matter will host food drives at three locations: Metro Market on Century Avenue, Metro Market on Junction Road, and Willy Street Coop in Middleton. The food drives will support WayForward Resources, which provides access to nutritious food for people in need throughout Dane County.
To continue the Week Against Hunger outreach, Middleton Meals Matter is partnering with several MCPASD elementary schools on food drives the week of May 5. Donation barrels will be available at Sunset Ridge, Park, West Middleton, and Northside elementary schools for students and families to drop off food for WayForward Resources.
Making an Impact Beyond Middleton
Through food drives, fundraising, and local partnerships, Middleton Meals Matter has collected approximately 40,000 pounds of food and raised $20,000 to support those in need during this school year.
Middleton Meals Matter recently expanded with branches at two Madison schools.
“So far, we've created two more branches at Madison West and Vel Phillips Memorial High Schools,” Duckett said. “We are so excited to get started and are looking to expand our reach across the world!”
Duckett said Middleton Meals Matter is also working to overcome the misconception that people in Dane County don’t struggle with housing and food insecurity.
“We would like everyone to be aware of this crisis,” Duckett said. “Also, we'd like people to know that anyone can volunteer with us! We've had students in grades K-12 volunteer, and we can't wait to expand this.”
Learn more about supporting the organization and volunteering on Middleton Meals Matter’s website.