MADISON — Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin honored Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Madison during its 18th annual Governor’s Donor Recognition Reception, hosted by First Lady Jessica Doyle at the Executive Residence recently.
The event recognizes those that make significant contributions in support of Second Harvest Foodbank’s mission to end hunger in southwestern Wisconsin.
Significant contributions
“It is this type of remarkable generosity that fuels Second Harvest Foodbank’s mission,” said Bob Mohelnitzky, president/CEO at Second Harvest Foodbank. “We humbly thank Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Madison for their significant contributions that have allowed us to better serve southwestern Wisconsin families at risk of hunger.”
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Madison has been instrumental in the growth of Second Harvest’s Mobile Pantry Program. Coordinating nine of the Foodbank’s 23 sites, Catholic Charities champions greater access to food in rural communities that are often limited in food assistance resources.
After identifying communities that could benefit from mobile pantries, Second Harvest works with Catholic Charities, who provides financial support, sets up sites within their parishes, advertises the monthly distribution schedule to their communities, and staffs the sites with volunteers.
Thanks priests, parishioners
Brian Cain, president of Catholic Charities, indicated that he is very thankful to the priests and parishioners who volunteer to use their parish site and who distribute the food.
Cain said that priests and parishioners involved with this project see it as a wonderful ministry. “Parishioners can rub shoulders with the poor, and through this contact a human face is put on those in need. This provides all of us an opportunity to live our faith through our action,” he said.
Through these sites alone, more than 11,000 families — 40 percent of Foodbank’s entire program — were served in fiscal year 2009.
In addition to food assistance provided through these monthly sites, Catholic Charities has also been extraordinary during times of disaster and emergency, helping coordinate special Mobile Pantries in 2008 for three flood-ravaged communities.
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Madison, is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit agency affiliated with Catholic Charities USA, the nation’s largest private network of people helping people. The organization has served individuals and families in 11 counties in southcentral Wisconsin since 1946.
The agency serves and employs persons regardless of religious, ethnic, racial, or social background. The agency is governed by a local board of directors and employs more than 200 individuals. For more, visit www.ccmadison.org
Second Harvest Foodbank
Second Harvest Foodbank is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending hunger in southwestern Wisconsin, where more than 100,000 people — 40 percent of whom are children — don’t always have enough to eat.
Through food and financial donations, Second Harvest acquires and distributes food to more than 400 programs, including food pantries, shelters, and meal sites, in 16 counties. For more information, visit www.secondharvestmadison.org