--Edited to add (12/9)

To date, we have distributed 1,500 food bags across three food distributions. As of this writing, we have spent $6,200+ on previous distributions and currently have transaction fees of approximately $250.

Our goal for the December 19 distribution is to reach $10,000 total on this campaign because it would give us access to roughly $3,500 to spend on food items. Students will be away from free meals/snacks at school for two full weeks, so we want to offer as much as we can. All donations received on/before December 16 will be used to purchase food for the December 19 distribution.

Any donations after the 16th will be applied to future distributions. We will have another in March prior to spring break but recognize that we may need to facilitate an earlier distribution based on the needs of our school community.

Thank you for your continued support!

—Edited to add (11/17)

Although SNAP benefits have been restored, we are still preparing for a larger food distribution on Friday. MPS students receive meals and snacks for free at school, so families will see a notable increase in their grocery costs when kids are home all week from school.

In order to prepare larger food bags, we need to continue raising funds and collecting local food donations. We’d love your support! Given the ongoing government shutdown, local families here in Milwaukee receiving SNAP may not receive their food benefits on November 1.

—Edited to add (11/6):

We met our initial goal of distributing food bags to all students on October 31. We are continuing to fundraise in hopes of providing ongoing support through November.

As of this writing on November 6, there is no timeline for SNAP benefits to be restored. We also completed our second schoolwide distribution today (roughly 500 bags).

We are hoping to have a larger food distribution on November 21.

We are particularly concerned about the effort on the 21st because students are out of school the entire week of Thanksgiving and will not have access to the guaranteed meals that school provides.

Thank you in advance for your support and willingness to share this fundraiser with your network!

Original call to action!

I’m fundraising to send students at La Escuela Fratney (K-6 in Milwaukee Public Schools) home with a food bag on Friday, October 31. Ideally, I’d like to offer bags to all 530 students. As one of many concerned citizens, I want to be sure the entire school community is well cared for during these uncertain times.