From: Batzner Pest Management
16948 W. Victor Rd.
New Berlin, WI 53151
Contact: Jerry Batzner, 262-797-4160
or Jordan Fox 414-352-2645
(New Berlin, January 23, 2009) — Embracing the pressing need to fight hunger in Wisconsin, Batzner Pest Management, New Berlin, will donate 100 new duffel bags as well as food to the Waukesha Salvation Army’s Snack Pack Program. As part of that program, which kicked off last fall, the Salvation Army fills duffel bags and backpacks with food to be taken home each weekend by disadvantaged students at several Waukesha public schools.
Approximately one in five Waukesha public school families, don’t have enough food or go without food due to a lack of funds, according to research conducted by Waukesha County UW-Extension.
The inspiration for a food drive all began when Tanya Renk, marketing associate at Batzner Pest Management, saw a news story covering this local program. “I was deeply moved when I saw the true appreciation and relief on the children’s faces after receiving their weekly gift of food,” said Renk. “The Salvation Army created their Snack Pack Program to help those financially challenged students eat healthful foods over weekends and holidays when free or affordable school breakfast and lunch programs aren’t available.
“Because we at Batzner are committed to helping our community fight hunger, we’re happy to donate these bags,” she said. “In addition, we’ve started an employee food drive here and will donate the collected food to the Snack Pack Program. And our president, Jerry Batzner, will supplement the amount of food collected with a $300 corporate contribution as well.”
Batzner Pest Management plans to deliver the duffel bags and food donated by their employees to the Waukesha Salvation Army the week of February 23.
Anyone interested in donating food to the Snack Pack program should contact Rachel Fjellman, social services director at the Waukesha Salvation Army at 262-547-7367. Fjellman said that needed food items are listed on their website, http://www.waukeshasalvationarmy.org.
