Families and staff in the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District donated more than 800 pounds of food for families in need as part of MCPASD’s partnership with WayForward Resources and the MCPASD Education Foundation this fall. The organizations hosted food drives at each MCPASD school’s Back to School night in support of Hunger Action Month, a national campaign held in September to raise awareness and inspire action to end hunger in America.
At each school’s Back to School Night, families and staff dropped off non-perishable food donations for WayForward Resources’ food pantry and the Weekend Food Program, which is supported by the MCPASD Education Foundation, for students in need.
“We wanted to help raise awareness about food insecurity in our community and collect as much food as possible,” said MCPASD Superintendent Dr. Dana Monogue. “It’s heartbreaking that 17% of children in Dane County are food insecure, including children in our schools. We’re incredibly grateful to all the families that supported the food drive to help those in our community who need help the most.”
The food donations will make an impact in the Middleton and Cross Plains communities.
“The generous donations contributed by families and individuals at the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Back to School drives make a huge impact at a time when demand for food in our community is at an all-time high,” said President and CEO of WayForward Resources Ellen Carlson. “This partnership with the school district is so important to ensuring people throughout our community have access to enough nutritious food and to supporting students' learning, well-being, and school success. The best way to address the issue of food insecurity is by working together, and these drives were the perfect opportunity to do that.”
The food drives were an opportunity for families and staff to give back as they came together for the new school year.
"I have been overwhelmed with gratitude during my first few weeks with the MCPASD Education Foundation,” said Annemarie Ketterhagen Engdahl, who recently began her role as Executive Director of the Foundation. “We are so lucky to live in a community where so many people step up to make sure all of our students have their needs met. All of the food pantry managers were so grateful for the donations. The Back to School food drives are another example of the neighborly partnerships that make MCPASD great."
WayForward Resources will conclude Hunger Action Month with a panel discussion, Creating Food Security: Challenges, Insights & Solutions, on Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Middleton Public Library. Panelists will talk about the rise in food insecurity, how the food system works and how that has changed, and how the community can work together to ensure everyone has access to enough nutritious food to thrive.
Middleton Meals Matter, the student-run nonprofit at Middleton High School that fights food insecurity, will be part of the community conversation. The event is free and open to the public but registration is required. Learn more and register on WayForward’s website.
MCPASD families that need assistance with food can contact their school’s social worker for support. WayForward Resources offers a food pantry for Dane County residents, where families can shop in person as often as needed. Food pantry hours and location are here.