The Holiday Tradition Continues, Secret Santa Strikes Again with $75,000 Gift

Milwaukee, Wis. – In the midst of a struggling economy, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin has received an anonymous $75,000 gift.  This anonymous donor has a very generous history of giving to the food bank.  Since 1983, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin has received an anonymous gift from this person each year totaling over $2.4 million.  “This gift is a blessing. With 330,000 people relying on Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin for food assistance, this gift will help us feed the hungry into the New Year,” said Bonnie Bellehumeur, president of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.  Demand for food is up 21% over the last two years.

Families who rely on Feeding America always feel an extra pinch in the pocketbook during the winter months because of the added expenses related to home heating.  41% of the families that rely on Feeding America for food are already choosing between paying their utilities and buying groceries.  This gift will help provide food for those who might otherwise go without this holiday.  “We are extremely grateful that this person continues to recognize the need to feed the hungry during these trying economic times,” Bellehumeur added.

This year, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is on a million meal mission to provide one million meals for families in need during its Food for the Holidays campaign. Help us reach our goal by the end of the month and visit www.feedingamericawi.org and click the “donate now” button. For every  $1 donation Feeding America can provide 5 meals for families in need. You can also donate nonperishable food items at any Associated Bank branch or Balistreri owned-and-operated Sendik’s Food Markets. As we enjoy this holiday season with family and friends, remember hunger never takes a holiday.

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Each year 330,000 people in Wisconsin rely on food supplied by Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.  The food bank is the largest, private, non-profit distributor of food in the state. Feeding America distributes over 15 million pounds of food annually to 1,000 food pantries, meal programs and shelters throughout Wisconsin.  Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is affiliated with Feeding America which is consistently ranked as one of the most efficient charities, out of the country’s 100 largest charities, by Forbes magazine.  Since 1982, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin has distributed more than 280 million pounds of food.  To learn more about hunger in Wisconsin, log onto www.feedingamericawi.org.