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Fox 11 Food Project Sets Record with 27,000-Pound First-Day Collection

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  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, November 12th 2025 at 18:39 GMT by Fox 11 News

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Fox 11 Food Project Hits Record‑Breaking 27,000‑Pound First‑Day Collection in Northeast Wisconsin

On the opening day of the Fox 11 Food Project, community members across Menasha, Oshkosh, Manitowoc, Marinette, and the surrounding areas came together to produce an astounding 27,000 pounds of food in a single day—a record that underscores the generosity of the region and the power of local partnership. The project, launched by the Fox 11 News network in partnership with Paul’s Pantry, has been designed to combat food insecurity while rallying the local community around a shared mission.

What is the Fox 11 Food Project?

The Fox 11 Food Project is a community‑driven initiative that seeks to gather and redistribute food to those in need. The program is anchored by Paul’s Pantry, a non‑profit food bank headquartered in Menasha that provides meals and groceries to more than 70,000 individuals each year. Through the Food Project, Fox 11 aims to boost the pantry’s capacity by collecting surplus food from local businesses, residents, and corporate donors, and delivering it to Paul’s Pantry’s distribution centers.

“Food insecurity is a crisis that requires a coordinated, compassionate response,” said Paul’s Pantry Executive Director, Bob Hornacek. “By partnering with Fox 11, we’re able to reach a wider audience and create a streamlined donation process that’s easy for volunteers and donors alike.”

The initiative is not just a one‑off effort; Fox 11 has pledged to maintain a regular donation schedule throughout the holiday season and beyond. “We want this to become a habit in our community—an ongoing reminder that we’re all in this together,” Hornacek added.

The Record‑Breaking Day

The first day of the Food Project, which kicked off on a Sunday morning, saw an unprecedented turnout of donors and volunteers. Over 100 local businesses—ranging from grocery chains and farmers’ markets to restaurants and restaurants—opened their doors to accept donations. Residents brought surplus groceries, canned goods, and non‑perishables, while corporate sponsors pledged to match or amplify individual contributions.

Key highlights from the day include:

• 27,000 pounds of food collected in a single day, a milestone that surpasses all prior local food drives in Northeast Wisconsin.
• More than 150 volunteers who sorted, catalogued, and loaded food into transport trucks, demonstrating community commitment.
• Several local food‑truck operators and restaurant chains donated fresh produce and protein‑rich items, which were donated to the “Farm‑to‑Table” segment of Paul’s Pantry’s distribution plan.
• Local businesses such as Menasha’s own “Baker’s Basket” and Oshkosh’s “Health‑First Pharmacy” contributed large volumes of non‑perishable items, showcasing corporate social responsibility in action.

The Food Project team also worked in partnership with Marinette’s Community Food Pantry to ensure that donations could reach those most in need, expanding the distribution network beyond Paul’s Pantry alone.

Community Voices

The news of the record‑breaking haul was met with enthusiasm across social media, where local influencers and residents celebrated the collaborative effort. Fox 11’s own hosts—Sarah Johnson and Mike Carpenter—highlighted the community’s spirit on air and during a live segment that featured a quick interview with Hornacek.

“You’ve literally changed the game for us,” Johnson told Hornacek. “It’s a testament to the power of local journalism when it’s paired with a compassionate cause.”

Hornacek responded with a heartfelt thank you, noting that “this initiative demonstrates how media can serve as a catalyst for community action.” He also emphasized the importance of sustained involvement: “While 27,000 pounds is a milestone, what we’re building here is an ecosystem of ongoing generosity. We encourage residents to continue donating, volunteering, and spreading the word.”

How the Food Is Handled

All food collected is first inspected for quality and safety. Paul’s Pantry follows strict guidelines set by the USDA and the FDA to ensure that items are safe for distribution. Surplus items that are still on their shelf life are earmarked for distribution to households, while items nearing expiration are donated to shelters or churches that can still safely serve them.

The Food Project’s logistics partner, Wexford Transport, handled the movement of 27,000 pounds across multiple distribution points. This coordination required careful scheduling: trucks arrived at Paul’s Pantry’s main hub in Menasha for the morning, then pivoted to smaller satellite locations in Manitowoc and Marinette.

What’s Next?

Fox 11 has set its sights on continuing the momentum throughout the holiday season. The next target is to collect 40,000 pounds of food by Christmas, and then maintain a baseline of 10,000 pounds per month thereafter. Hornacek stated, “Our goal is not just to help this season; it’s to create a pipeline that can help our community when the next crisis hits.”

The project also intends to expand its outreach to include:

• Educational seminars for families on how to shop sustainably and reduce food waste.
• Partnerships with local schools for a “Food Drive 4 the Future” program that teaches children about nutrition and community service.
• Collaboration with faith‑based organizations to provide meals during winter holidays.

Fox 11 is encouraging all viewers to contribute, whether by donating food, offering monetary support, or volunteering time. The network’s official Facebook page includes a donation link to Paul’s Pantry and a sign‑up sheet for volunteers.

Takeaway

The first day of the Fox 11 Food Project has not only shattered local food‑drive records but also spotlighted the potential of coordinated community action. With a record 27,000 pounds collected, the initiative has set a new benchmark for Northeast Wisconsin, proving that when media, local businesses, and residents unite, meaningful change is possible. As the project moves forward, it invites the entire region to sustain this generosity and ensure that no one in the community goes hungry, now and in the years to come.