Samaritan’s Purse is responding in Appleton/Menasha, WI after powerful tornadoes moved through the area, causing significant damage across multiple communities. Samaritan’s Purse assists homeowners with debris cleanup, chainsaw work, and roof tarping, and sharing in the hope of Jesus with families.
They are in need of volunteers. By joining their team of volunteers, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of all neighbors affected by these storms. If you would like to volunteer, visit SPVolunteer.org.
In partnership with Eagle River Elementary, Land O’Lakes Elementary and Phelps Elementary Schools, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church is providing meals through the “Weekend Backpack” program. Backpacks are sent home on Friday with “child-friendly, easy-to-prepare” food items providing the necessary calories to help eliminate their hunger. Many of the parents are struggling to keep their children fed so our goal is to provide food support on weekends.
The Backpack Program started in the March 2015 with one hungry 3rd grader and the heart of a school volunteer. Since then, the Backpack program has grown to over 135 elementary school students, 4K-6th grade.
Student participants’ names are kept confidential by the school and school district staff. Students and parents self-identify and/or identified by school staff.
If you would like your child to participate in the program, please contact your school’s teacher, principal or pupil services.
How Can You Help?
You can help by dropping off needed items at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church during office hours, make a monetary donation, or volunteer your time.
Needed Items include:
Oatmeal (individual packets)
Cereal (individual cups or boxes)
Pop Tarts
Applesauce (individual cups)
Fruit Cups (individual size, no Jell-O)
100% Juice Boxes (individual size)
Pudding (individual cups – vanilla or chocolate preferred)
Macaroni ‘N’ Cheese (individual cups or Easy Mac – no boxes)
When donating food, please select items that are appropriate for a young child’s taste preferences. Expired food or food past the sell by date cannot be used. Thank you.
Items can be dropped off at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
The Backpack Program is proud to partner with the Northland Pines and Phelps School District in providing support and encouragement to youth and families.
Minocqua, WI — IncredibleBank, in partnership with Lakeland Pantry, is launching a community campaign to support families facing food insecurity through the “Hope In A Backpack” program. Now through August 31, donations can be made at any IncredibleBank location, and IncredibleBank will match contributions up to $2,500.
Food insecurity continues to affect children and families across our region. “Hope In A Backpack” helps ensure students who rely on school meals during the week also have nutritious food for the weekend. Each week, students at local schools—including AVW, Lac Du Flambeau, MHLT, North Lakeland, and Lakeland Union High School—receive discreetly packed backpacks filled with healthy, easy-to-prepare foods to help fill the gap when school meals are unavailable.
Now through August 31, donate to “Hope In A Backpack” at any IncredibleBank location, and IncredibleBank will match donations up to $2,500. Donations can also be made by scanning the attached QR code.
By matching every donated dollar, IncredibleBank will help double the community’s impact and directly support the purchase of food and supplies for families in need.
Lorna Springate Lakeland Pantry Director added, “Community support is truly powerful. By working together, we can make a meaningful difference for children and families who need it most. We invite everyone to take part in this campaign, knowing every donation will be matched and used to provide nourishing meals.”
“Hope In A Backpack” provides weekend food for local children, helping reduce hunger and support student well-being throughout the school year. The program is supported by Lakeland Pantry, Ascension Lutheran Church, Calvary Lutheran Church, and the Lakeland Area General Federation of Women’s Clubs.
It’s all about “Neighbors Helping Neighbors.” Please donate today.
Arbor Vitae, WI — Harvest season is here, and Lakeland Pantry is asking local gardeners, community growers, and anyone with extra homegrown produce to help nourish neighbors in need through its Grow A Row initiative.
Community members with surplus tomatoes, zucchini, beans, fruits, herbs, or other fresh garden produce are encouraged to donate their extra harvest rather than let it go to waste. Donations will help provide Lakeland Pantry customers with fresh, nutritious ingredients for healthy, delicious meals.
“At Lakeland Pantry, we believe in the power of community and in neighbors helping neighbors,” said Lakeland Pantry representatives. “The Grow A Row campaign is a simple, meaningful way for gardeners to share abundance and make a direct difference for local families.”
Produce donations may be dropped off at Lakeland Pantry, 1707 US-51, Arbor Vitae, WI during regular donation hours:
Tuesdays: 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Thursdays: 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Produce may also be delivered during business hours to JJ’s Acres, 9436 Co. Hwy J, Woodruff, or Stoney Creek Home and Garden, 7560 Poplar Dr., Minocqua.
Every donation, no matter the size, helps put healthy food on the tables of neighbors in need. Whether gardeners have a surplus of vegetables, fruits, or herbs, their contributions will help ensure local households have access to fresh, nourishing options throughout the growing season.
For more information about donating produce through Grow A Row, contact Lakeland Pantry at lakelandpantry@hyfinc.org or stop by during donation hours. For more information on the Lakeland Pantry or to donate please visit lakelandpantry.com.
Prison Fellowship Ministry is seeking volunteers in southwest Wisconsin.
The Jackson Correctional Institute in Black River Falls is a men’s medium security facility that is part of the Prison Fellowship Ministry, and is currently hosting a Bible Study each Monday Night. They generally have 30 to 40 inmates that attend the Bible study with 2 volunteers. They are currently seeking new volunteers that can serve after completingthe training and the security orientation required. The commitment for this usually is 1 to 2 times a month for 1 hour each. The first 15 minutes of the hour is spent praising the Lord in song with the remainder spent reading the chapter forthat day and discussing the content with questions and input from inmates and volunteers. A great need would be for someone with piano or guitar experience to add their talents to this time, up to now acapella has worked well too.
Another opportunity for involvement is the Prison Fellowship Academy program, this is a more intensive level of commitment of 1.5 to 2 hours a week working with a team to help inmates break the cycle of crime and one day re-enter society to be productive members of the community.
If you are interested in serving with Prison Fellowship Ministry, visit their website, or contactMark Wingard at 715-284-2618 to learn more. Thank you !!!
Operation Christmas Child is looking for churches and businesses to join in the effort to share the love of Jesus with boys and girls all around the world through gift-filled shoeboxes.
Each box packed full of quality toys, school supplies, and personal care items becomes a tangible expression of God’s immense love for the child. For many, it is their first gift ever! Delivered by our local church partners, shoebox gifts provide an opportunity to present the Gospel to boys and girls in a clear, child-friendly way.
Project leaders facilitate the packing of Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for a church or group. Proejct Leaders serve in a variety of ways by promoting the project, ordering materials, equipping people with resources, raising funds, or organizing a packing party.
If you would like to learn more about becoming a Project Leader and getting your church or business involved, reach out to Randy Peterson.
Our friends at Samaritan’s Purse International are on the ground in New London, WI and surrounding communities, helping homeowners affected by recent flood…and they are looking for more volunteers. The volunteer teams will help with mudouts and debris cleanup, and more importantly, share hope with families.
By joining their team of volunteers, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of those affected by the flooding. If you have some time and would like to volunteer, visit SPVolunteer.org.
With food insecurity being a large issue right now, consider making a donation to a local food pantry in your area. Food pantries serve individuals and families who may not have access to food/hygiene products.
Contact individual locations to find out details such as drop off times, specific needs they may have, or other tangible ways to give.
Family Promise of the Great Rivers is a homeless shelter serving families with children under 18 years old located in Sparta, Wisconsin. Family Promise is looking for volunteers for various roles within their organization.
To learn more about Family Promise of the Great Rivers join them for an Open House on November 20, 2025.
Types of Volunteers Needed:
Board Members
Dinner Volunteers: Work in pairs and be responsible for bringing a meal for volunteers and families staying at the shelter in the evenings.
Driver Volunteers/Movers: Transport families to and from the Day Center, work, school or appointments with the Family Promise van. Movers use the Family Promise van and trailer to assist with transport of donated items and families’ belongings.
Event Volunteers: Serving at various events throughout the year.
Day Center Volunteers: Help clean and organize for a few hours each week. Those with special skills to run workshops for families such as budgeting, cooking, self-care, vehicle upkeep, or other life skills.
Operation Christmas Child delivers great joy and the Good News of Jesus Christ to children in need around the world through gift-filled shoeboxes.
Each box packed full of quality toys, school supplies, and personal care items becomes a tangible expression of God’s immense love for the child. For many, it is their first gift ever! Delivered by our local church partners, shoebox gifts provide an opportunity to present the Gospel to boys and girls in a clear, child-friendly way.
