Dear New Glarus Community Members,

We are so blessed to live in a compassionate community that is always ready to respond when our neighbors are in need. During these anxious and ever-changing times, the New Glarus Caring for Kids organization is committed to continuing its mission of providing for those in need as well. We have been planning and in communication with the New Glarus School District in order to best determine how we can support students and their families when school is closed.

Our organization has a food backpack program that provides non-perishable food items as well as a grocery voucher to Roy’s Market for bread, milk, eggs, and butter in place to support families. We have decided we can best provide support by continuing this program, and expand it by allowing additional families to sign-up who request assistance. Thanks to preparation and planning done by a number of individuals involved in this program, we are prepared to support families in need. The school district will email families with information on how to sign-up for the bags of food/vouchers. They will also send out information on how bags of food and vouchers will be distributed to those who register. All those who are already signed up will continue to receive the food and vouchers. For anyone utilizing our vouchers, please remember that Roy’s Market, like all grocery stores, is working hard to maintain its inventory and may not have all items in stock at all times.

Caring for Kids has no plans at this time to be involved with the collection and/or distribution of items donated by members of the public. This goes against our practices and would likely involve too much handling of food and other items by too many individuals given the current circumstances. We work closely with Second Harvest Food Pantry and have dedicated and trained volunteers in order to ensure we are being cost-effective and following safe, first-in, first-out methods. Although we know many are willing to help, we are also not currently accepting additional volunteers for the packing and distribution of the bags of food.

Our organization believes we have the financial means at this time to support these efforts, but the community’s financial support is always appreciated. You can make tax-deductible donations to Caring for Kids, which is an approved 501(c)(3), by mailing donations to Caring for Kids, PO Box 969, New Glarus, WI 53574. We know that many individuals will take part in acts of kindness to care for neighbors and friends in need well beyond what we are doing. That is what makes this community great, and what will help us get through these trying times. If you have questions or concerns related to Caring for Kids, please don’t hesitate to contact our board president Anthony Edge at anthony.edge@ngsd.k12.wi.us.

Continue to be caring!

Caring for Kids Board of Directors,

Anthony Edge, Travis Sysko, Kim Bright, Laura Eicher, Josie Wieser, Diane Roska, Mark Stateler, Jeff Eichelkraut, Brenda Bright, Brittany Spencer-Grant, Sonja Tidd