Wisconsin Public Radio: Members Help families Facing Hunger in Wisconsin

Contact: Rick Reyer, Central Regional Manager
Ph: 715-261-6391 or rick.reyer@wpr.org

Annual Drive Has Provided More Than 340,000 Meals Statewide.

Madison, Wis. – Since 2010, Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) members have provided more than 340,000 meals statewide to those in need through a unique partnership with Second Harvest Wisconsin and Feeding America.

Public radio listeners are likely familiar with regular fundraising “pledge drives” that encourage them to support their station by donating and becoming a member. These drives have been an important source of funding for WPR since the late 1970s. In addition to supporting the programs they love, donors often appreciate thank you gifts such as a logo tote bag, but in 2010 WPR decided to shake things up a bit. Donors during the year-end drive are invited to “pay it forward” and send meals to those in need instead of receiving a gift for themselves. Listeners responded enthusiastically. Last year, WPR provided nearly 10,000 meals on behalf of members.

This year, WPR is again partnering with the six statewide food banks of Second Harvest Wisconsin and Feeding America to provide meals via its Year-end Membership Drive, December 5-9, 2017. “The partnership we have with Second Harvest and Feeding America is one I’m especially proud of,” said WPR Director Mike Crane. “Food insecurity is a growing problem in our state, and organizations like Second Harvest and Feeding America make a real difference in people’s lives.”

WPR donors will have the opportunity to support the radio programs they enjoy and choose a thank-you gift that will help feed their neighbors facing hunger. “We know our members are dedicated to making Wisconsin a great place to live, and that supporting Wisconsin Public Radio is one layer of that work,” said WPR Interim Pledge Drive Manager Johanna Gulke. “Partnering with Second Harvest and Feeding America gives our members the opportunity to not only serve fellow Wisconsinites through funding powerful programming on WPR, but also to help address hunger in their community.”

“We are grateful for our partnership with WPR,” said Dan Stein, president & CEO of Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. “It is an excellent example of two worthy organizations who meet important needs in the community working together to make our community a better place.”
Listeners can choose Food Bank thank-you gifts when donating during the WPR membership drive for gifts of $10/month or more, December 5-9, at 1-888-202-2552 or at wpr.org.

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Editor’s Note: Second Harvest Wisconsin and Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin operate six food banks that cover the state of Wisconsin. WPR sends the value of the Food Bank thank-you gift to the food bank that serves the donor’s zip code:

Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin
Headquartered in Madison; serves southwestern Wisconsin
www.secondharvestmadison.org

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin
Headquartered in Milwaukee; serves eastern Wisconsin
www.feedingamericawi.org

Second Harvest Heartland
Headquartered in St. Paul, MN; serves western Wisconsin
www.2harvest.org

Feed My People
Headquartered in Eau Claire as a subsidiary distribution outlet of Second Harvest Heartland; serves west central Wisconsin
www.fmpfoodbank.org

Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank
Headquartered in Duluth, MN; serves northwestern Wisconsin
“www.northernlakesfoodbank.org

Channel One Food Bank and Food Shelf
Headquartered in Rochester, MN; serves La Crosse County, Wisconsin
www.channel-one.org”

More information on the Food Bank thank-you gift is available at https://www.wpr.org/thank-you-gift-faq

About Wisconsin Public Radio
For 100 years, Wisconsin Public Radio has served the people of Wisconsin with quality news, music, talk and entertainment. On air, online and in the community – we work for Wisconsin. WPR is a service of the Educational Communications Board and University of Wisconsin-Extension. Listen, learn more and donate at wpr.org