WayForward Resources: More than three dozen local food pantries issue call to action in full-page ad: “Dane County, we need your help”

MADISON – A coalition of 36 Dane County food pantries released a letter to the community on Tuesday, sounding an alarm about the rising number of people facing food insecurity and the need for both immediate support and longer-term solutions to the challenges of distributing enough food to meet the growing need.

The letter, published as a full-page ad in Tuesday’s print edition of the Wisconsin State Journal, begins: “Dane County, we need your help.” The cost of the ad was co-sponsored by United Way of Dane County and the newspaper.

“As Dane County food pantries, we serve thousands of people in our community each day. Our shared mission is to make sure our neighbors don’t face hunger,” the letter said. “But we are facing a serious challenge.”

The food pantries also held a press conference Tuesday morning at the state Capitol, where they were scheduled to be joined by local officials and community leaders, including Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, Janel Heinrich, Executive Director of Public Health Madison & Dane County, state legislators, county supervisors, and other invited guests.

“Because of the urgency of the situation, we are coming together for the first time as food pantries to make our community aware of the challenges we face in meeting the need,” said Ellen Carlson, Executive Director for WayForward Resources. “Our current resources can only stretch so far.”

Their call to action comes as visits to many pantries in the fastest-growing county in Wisconsin have more than doubled in the past two years. The result of this increased need is pantries are spending more money on food than ever before as the options they have to keep shelves stocked “continue to shift and are more limited than they were just a few years ago,” the letter said. The pantries stress that buying food in bulk is more expensive now and the traditional suppliers of free food for pantries can’t keep up with the demand.

“The dual effect of the high cost of food and more people needing help poses a significant challenge to all local pantries,” Julie Bennett, CEO & Executive Director at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Madison, said. “This is the mission we’re called to — to help people in need. Our hope is that more people in Dane County will join us by giving what they can this month, next month, and into the future. This is a long term issue we can only address together.”

Pantry leaders said the pressure will rise in the coming weeks as kids have less access to free food with schools out for the summer.

“Millions of people in this country are just one job loss or health emergency away from hunger,” said Marcia Kasieta, Business Director of Badger Prairie Needs Network in Verona. “Food insecurity in Dane County is real and as the region grows so does the demand for food pantry services. Pantries are working double-time to address this increase.”

The food pantries’ letter explained what is driving demand, including higher food prices, dramatic increases in rent and the fact that federal assistance that helped people make ends meet during the pandemic is gone. The most recent data on food insecurity in Dane County shows an increase in people not having enough to eat and not knowing where their next meal is coming from. According to the Mind the Meal Gap report recently released by Feeding America, nearly 13% of kids in Dane County were food insecure in 2022, up from 7.5% in 2021. That increase was even before local pantries started seeing sharp upticks in demand.

“It is increasingly hard for families to make ends meet, and with very little government support for families post-pandemic, we are continuing to see more and more households turning to food pantries for help,” said Catie Badsing, Manager of Food Security Programs for the Sun Prairie Food Pantry at Sunshine Place. “Pantries are spending more on food than ever before to keep our shelves stocked.”

There is not a quick or easy fix to food insecurity and the structural and economic factors that drive it, according to the letter. But pantries say this is “a critical moment for us to come together for our neighbors. There are a number of immediate actions people in our community can take to support local pantries in meeting the need, including:

— Organize a food drive for your local pantry.

— Look at your own budget to figure out how much you can donate to your local pantry to support neighbors in need; give monthly if you can to provide a steady stream of support.

— Reach out to your local pantry and ask what food items they need most and buy those items to donate when you go to the grocery store.

— Volunteer your time. There are a variety of opportunities to get more involved in helping food pantries support the community.

“Community support is how pantries are able to serve thousands of people in need every day, but we need more people to join our mission,” said Rhonda Adams, Executive Director of The River Food Pantry. “There are things people can do right now — donations of money, food, and volunteer support are vital to helping us meet this record need. We believe our community has the power and resources to help ensure local pantries can continue to be there for our neighbors who rely on us to feed themselves and their families.”

Pantries also urged local, county, state, and federal officials, as well as other community leaders, to help find long-term solutions to food insecurity.

“Our pantries are not failing, quite the contrary,” said Letesha Nelson, President and Executive Director, Goodman Community Center. “Our pantries are collectively stepping up, but our efforts are not sustainable without more help given our current infrastructure that relies heavily on in-kind donations and volunteer participation.”

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LETTER TO COMMUNITY:

Dane County, we need your help.

As Dane County food pantries, we serve thousands of people in our community each day. Our shared mission is to make sure our neighbors don’t face hunger.

But we are facing a serious challenge.

Visits to many of our food pantries have more than doubled in the past two years. We know some of the reasons why. Food prices are higher and rent is rising more here than anywhere else in the country. Federal assistance that helped people make ends meet during the pandemic is gone. We are also the fastest-growing county in Wisconsin. Nearly 13% of kids in Dane County were food insecure in 2022, up from 7.5% in 2021 — and that was before our food pantries started seeing drastic increases in demand.

We’re also spending more on food than ever before.

The options we have to keep our shelves stocked continue to shift and are more limited than they were just a few years ago. Buying food in bulk is more expensive now and our traditional suppliers of free food can’t keep up with the demand. Permanent changes to the food system over the last few years mean there is less surplus available for our food pantries.

These trends make it challenging to keep food on our shelves.

Food pantries have worked hard to stretch our resources, space, and teams as far as possible. The pressure will rise in the coming weeks as kids have less access to free food with schools out for the summer.

You can help.

Making a financial donation to your local food pantry enables them to purchase needed food. We welcome food drives and volunteers, too. We know there is no quick or easy fix to food insecurity and the structural and economic factors that drive it. So we urge our local, county, state, and federal officials, as well as other community leaders, to help find long-term solutions to food insecurity. We can’t do it alone.

This is a critical moment for us to come together for our neighbors.

When our community supports local food pantries, we are stronger. With access to food, kids can learn, families can work, and seniors can stay healthy. It will take all of us to meet this challenge and make sure our neighbors don’t experience hunger. We are committed to doing all we can. We are asking you to join us.

In partnership with you,

Allied Food Pantry
Babies & Beyond of WI, Inc.
Badger Prairie Needs Network
Bayview Community Center Pantry
Catholic Multicultural Center
Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin
Deerfield Community Center
East Madison Community Center
Extended Hands Pantry
Fountain of Life Covenant Church
Good Shepherd Food Pantry
Goodman Community Center’s Fritz Food Pantry
Grace Food Pantry
Great Lakes Dryhootch Madison
Heights Unlimited Community Resource Center (Mazomanie)
Islamic Community of Madison
Kennedy Heights Food Pantry
Lakeview Food Pantry
Lussier Community Education Center – Food Pantry
Mission Nutrition DeForest
Neighborhood House Community Center Food Pantry
Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Mt. Horeb
Oregon Area Food Pantry
OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center
Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin
Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Madison Food Pantry
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Food Pantry
Stoughton Food Pantry
Stoughton United Methodist Church Food Pantry
Sun Prairie Food Pantry at Sunshine Place
The Keep Food Pantry
The River Food Pantry
Vivent Health Food Pantry
Waunakee Food Pantry
WayForward Resources
Willy Street Pantry at the Social Justice Center

WPS Health Solutions awards 2024 community partnership funding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Corporate Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Health Solutions awards 2024 community partnership funding
Grants provide $111,100 toward mental health, DEI, and more

MADISON, Wis.—June 26, 2024—WPS Health Solutions awarded $111,100 to 28 organizations as part of its community partnership initiative. A team of volunteer WPS employees selected which organizations would receive funding based on evaluation criteria that prioritize WPS focus areas. This results in funding decisions that truly embody the collective voice of WPS employees, ensuring the company’s investments create a lasting positive impact.

WPS President and CEO Wendy Perkins said, “The organizations selected work in our communities to advance mental health and well-being, diversity and inclusion, and diversification of our supply chain ecosystem. WPS is proud to support them with these financial awards.”

WPS offered one-time grants for 2024 ranging from $250 to $10,000 to qualified, tax-exempt organizations. The organizations include:

• Access Community Health Centers, Inc.
• African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin
• American Heart Association
• Catholic Charities, Diocese of Madison
• Clean Lakes Alliance
• Disability:IN Wisconsin
• Dogs On Call, Inc.
• Edgerton Public Library
• Faith & Deliverance Recovery Outreach International Ministries
• Fisher House Wisconsin
• H.O.P.E. Foundation, Incorporation (Helping Others Pursue Excellence)
• HealthNet of Rock County Inc.
• In the Pink Boutique
• Living Our Visions Inclusively (LOV Inc)
• Madison Public Art Project, Inc. 
• Madison Public Library Foundation
• Madison Reading Project
• Madison365
• Maydm
• Monona Grove Education Foundation, Inc.
• Neighborhood House Community Center
• The Open Door Clinic, Inc.
• The Salvation Army
• Urban League of Greater Madison
• WI LGBT Chamber of Commerce
• WI Veterans Chamber of Commerce
• Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation
• YWCA Madison

The open application process introduced by WPS last year broadened the applicant pool by attracting new and diverse organizations. It also reinforced WPS’ dedication to transparency and collaboration with the community.

About WPS Health Solutions^®

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions), founded in 1946, is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. WPS Health Solutions serves active-duty and retired military personnel, seniors, individuals, and families in Wisconsin, across the U.S., and around the world. WPS Health Solutions, headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, has more than 2,600 employees. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

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CG Schmidt Madison Office Welcomes New Business Development Director

CONTACT INFORMATION
CG Schmidt
Sarah Dunn
(608) 630-3075
sarah.dunn@cgschmidt.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2024

CG Schmidt Madison Office Welcomes New Business Development Director

[Madison, WI] – CG Schmidt Construction’s Madison office is pleased to welcome Christian Jackson as Director of Business Development.

Christian has both a desire and a talent for building relationships. He earned his BA in Liberal Education from Langston University, and his MBA from the University of Cincinatti. Christian comes to CG Schmidt from his time at a local nonprofit, where he led community outreach and fundraising to serve over 10,000 individuals annually.

In addition to his strong interpersonal skills, CG Schmidt is thrilled to add Christian’s background in technology and innovation to the team. Beginning his career as the OrangeTech Manager at Oklahoma State University, Christian implemented innovative marketing strategies to attract students and enhance their experience. As National Account Manager for The Douglas Stewart Company, the leading distributor and marketer of computer products, Christian focused on expanding the firm’s higher education market. Working for Lenovo as Global Business Development and Product Manager, he drove expansion and provided strategic direction.

“Christian Jackson is genuine, kind, and uniquely prepared to help CG Schmidt continue creating and strengthening relationships to build excellent facilities that improve the lives of others. We are excited for him to be out networking in Madison representing CG Schmidt,” says Sarah Dunn, Senior Vice President.

CG Schmidt, a family-owned company since 1920, is a leader in quality construction management, general construction and design-build services with offices in Madison, Milwaukee, and Phoenix. The company serves the markets of education, healthcare, senior living, multi-family, corporate, industrial, community, and religious facilities. As a fourth-generation firm, CG Schmidt is a respected industry leader. For more information, please visit www.cgschmidt.com.

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Blain’s Farm & Fleet®: Announces upcoming leadership changes

Janesville, WI – Blain’s Farm & Fleet® has announced the promotion of Mark Hasting to Chief Executive Officer and President. Kim Treece will be promoted to Chief Stores Officer. Jane Blain Gilbertson will take on a new role as Executive Chair of the Board and will remain the sole owner of Blain’s Farm & Fleet and Blain Supply, Inc.  

These promotions support the company’s desire to continue to grow as a family-owned organization where customers are treated as neighbors and associates are treated like family. “The most important thing a leader must do is to plan for the organization’s next great leader,” says Jane Blain Gilbertson. “This succession plan was put into place 4 years ago when we hired Mark to join our company as our Chief of Stores. From the beginning, the entire company and our vendor partners could see Mark’s character, values, intelligence and love for this business. He learned our business quickly through his humility and curiosity, and I was especially pleased to observe his strength for developing others!” 

The transition will take place over the next several months and will complete in September. “We will transition over the summer, allowing me to visit every one of our 45 beloved stores and each of our distribution centers,” says Jane Blain Gilbertson. “I want a chance to say thank you to all of the amazing associates that serve our neighbors every day, and my daughters, who both work in our business, will join me for a number of these visits.”

Mark Hasting was originally hired in 2020 as Chief Stores Officer with responsibility for Store and Auto Service Center Operations. In 2022, he was promoted to Chief Commerce & Operating Officer, by which time his responsibilities had grown to include eCommerce Operations, Real Estate, Construction and Facilities, and the Customer Service Center of Excellence. In 2023, he was promoted to President and Chief Commerce & Operating Officer adding both Demand Planning and Supply Chain to his responsibilities while also taking on a greater strategic role in the leadership of the company. In his new role as Chief Executive Officer and President, he will have responsibility for all aspects of Blain’s Farm & Fleet and Blain Supply, Inc. He will continue to have support from the Independent Board with Jane Blain Gilbertson now taking on the role of Executive Chair of the Board. “This is the perfect arrangement,” says Nicole Gilbertson, daughter of Jane Blain Gilbertson and Project Management Specialist at Blain’s. “I’m happy to see my mother take more time for herself to travel and enjoy life, and I’m glad she is going to continue to play an important role on the Board. Mark is a strong leader, and with Mark leading the company and my mother leading the Board, and, of course, the entire family supporting him, we will have excellent balance and synergy.”

Kim Treece, previously Sr. Vice-President of Stores, is being promoted to Chief Stores Officer with responsibility for all Stores and Auto Service Centers, Real Estate, Construction and Facilities and the Customer Service Center of Excellence. “I chose Kim to fill my previous role due to her enthusiasm and positive influence on store associates,” says Mark Hasting. “Kim has a strong background in retail with 33 years in store and merchandising roles at Walgreens, but it is her compassionate leadership that makes her really shine.” 

“We have full confidence in Mark and Kim,” says Sarah Gilbertson, daughter of Jane Blain Gilbertson and Customer Relationship Marketing Specialist at Blain’s. “The core of our family culture is that we treat our associates like family and our customers like neighbors, and Mark and Kim embrace that whole-heartedly.” Nicole Gilbertson adds “My sister and I are committed to keeping Blain’s a high performing family-owned business. These changes provide the leadership we need to continue to grow while keeping family at the center of the organization.”

Under Jane’s leadership, Blain’s has driven huge growth in national Ecommerce business and opened 10 new stores, including 5 in Michigan, for a total of 45 stores. The Blain’s associate family has grown from approximately 3,500 to 5,500 employees. The company’s investment in technology enhancements and distribution capacity has increased significantly as well, with distribution capacity increasing 50% to manage ongoing growth. Jane has been a strong advocate for promoting a customer-centric approach, or as Blain’s calls it “Neighbor-Focused”, which has led to innovations in Drive Thru Pick Up, Same-Day Delivery and the Blain’s app, making shopping even more convenient. “If you are standing still, you will be run over. I am proud of the growth and innovation we have cultivated,” says Jane Blain Gilbertson. “In fact, these leadership changes are part of that plan for growth. 4 years ago, when we hired Mark, it was our desire to have a clear succession strategy as we were planning toward this transition. It is exciting to see it come to fruition.”

Mark Hasting brings impressive experience to this new role with a strong background in retail leadership. He spent over 20 years at Target, where he had many roles including Store Manager, District Team Leader, Group Vice President and Vice President of Store Operations. Mark has also served as Regional Vice President at Starbucks and Chief Operating Officer at Kum & Go. He has a BS in Marketing from Oklahoma State University and an MBA from Oklahoma City University. Mark is married and has three children. “I am humbled and excited to take on this new role. It is my desire to continue the family culture to support the growth of Blain’s Farm & Fleet and our associates,” says Mark Hasting. “Working with Jane these past 4 years has taught me so much about leadership and culture. It is my honor to be a strategic partner to her and her family in continuing to help this amazing organization to thrive.” And Jane Blain Gilbertson seconds that thought: “With Mark in the CEO role, I am confident we will continue to grow and thrive as a family-owned company delivering on our promise of making Blain’s a place where life is more rewarding. Next year, we will celebrate our 70^th anniversary, and I know that we are just getting started.”

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Founded in 1955, Blain’s Farm & Fleet is a retailer with nationwide ecommerce business and 45 store locations throughout Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan. This Modern General Store® offers a wide variety of categories and services and unique experiences such as Toyland®.

• Clothing: Carhartt, Columbia, Under Armour, Ariat, Work N’ Sport, Levi’s, Lee, Kuhl, Wrangler
• Footwear: Skechers, Hey Dude, Keen, Work N’ Sport, CAT, Crocs, Birkenstock, Sorel, Dansko, Carhartt, Timberland, Merrell, Wolverine
• Tools & Hardware: DeWalt, Milwaukee, Stanley, Craftsman, Klein, Stiletto
• Paint & Supplies: Benjamin Moore, Valspar, MinWax, Rustoleum, Graco, Purdy
• Automotive: Weather-Tech, Thule, Pennzoil, Valvoline, Mobil 1, Mystik, Fram, K&N, Sea Foam, Meguiar’s
• Tire & Auto Repair Service: Michelin, Goodyear, Cooper
• Sporting Goods: Realtree, Scent Blocker, Yeti, Coleman, Rapala, Plano, Shimano, Browning, Ugly Stik, St. Croix
• Home & Housewares: KitchenAid, Cuisinart, Keurig, T-Fal, Lodge, Dyson
• Pet Department: Purina, Blue Buffalo, Hill’s Science Diet, Iams, Canidae, Diamond, Taste of the Wild, Eukanuba, Freshpet, Kong
• Agriculture: King Kutter, Nutrena, Agrimaster, Behrens, Guardian, Manna Pro, Ware, Weaver Leather
• Lawn & Garden: Scotts, Miracle-Gro, Estate, Fiskars, Weber, Char-Broil
• Outdoor Power Equipment: Stihl, Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Ariens, Bobcat
• Toyland®: Barbie, Hot Wheels, LEGO, ERTL, Melissa & Doug, Ty Beanie Baby

ATC: Dan Henderson joins as director of total rewards and people services

PEWAUKEE, Wis. – Dan Henderson has joined ATC as the director of total rewards and people services. This is a newly created position, which will be responsible for driving strategies forward within ATC’s compensation, benefits and people services programs.

Henderson brings over 20 years of human resources experience and a wealth of expertise on HR strategy and service delivery, total rewards program leadership, and high-performing benefits program execution. Prior to joining ATC, he worked as senior director/head of compensation at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance.