Fox 11 Food Project Day 2 Rakes in 14,400 Pounds of Food for St. Joseph Food Program

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  Food and Wine on Wed, Nov 12th, 2025 by Fox 11 News

Fox 11 Food Project Day 2 Rakes in 14,400 Pounds of Food for St. Joseph Food Program

When the COVID‑19 pandemic hit, many families in Northeast Wisconsin found themselves on the brink of food insecurity. In response, the Fox 11 Food Project was launched as a community‑based initiative to bring together volunteers, local businesses, and media partners to collect and redistribute food to those in need. On the second day of the drive, the project surpassed expectations by gathering a staggering 14,400 pounds of food and a growing number of monetary donations from a coalition of local donors.

The Day‑to‑Day of the Food Drive

The Fox 11 Food Project operates out of a large, refrigerated warehouse in Menasha, which houses more than 10,000 pallets of non‑perishable staples. Volunteers arrive between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., sorting donated items into categories that the St. Joseph Food Program can readily distribute—canned goods, dry grains, baby food, and pantry staples. Because the Food Program only accepts food that can be shipped without refrigeration, volunteers focus on items with a long shelf life.

The day’s efforts were amplified by a coordinated social‑media push that reminded viewers to “drop off food, drop off love.” The project’s Facebook page, linked in the article, shared a real‑time tally of pounds collected, turning the drive into a community event that anyone could follow from home. By the end of the day, the tally had crossed 14,400 pounds—an impressive 40% increase from Day 1, which collected 10,200 pounds.

Community Partners That Made It Possible

While the sheer volume of food is remarkable, it is the generosity of local businesses and organizations that truly powers the Food Project. The Fox 11 article names a roster of key contributors:

• Fox Cities – The regional umbrella of the Fox News media network offered both logistical support and financial backing, helping cover shipping costs for the food destined for St. Joseph.
• Monica Clare – A prominent local philanthropist whose personal donation of $5,000 helped ensure that the food could be safely stored and transported.
• Oshkosh, Manitowoc, and Marinette – These three cities each set up mini‑drop‑off sites, widening the geographic reach of the drive. The article’s link to each city’s official website reveals that they have a history of supporting local food relief programs.
• Menasha Generosity Community – The volunteer group from Menasha itself organized an early‑morning bake‑off, producing over 2,000 pastries that were added to the food tally. Their website highlights the community’s commitment to “creating a safety net for all residents.”
• Paul’s Pantry – A long‑time partner of the St. Joseph Food Program, Paul’s Pantry contributed a refrigerated truck that could transport perishable goods that the Food Program had a special “cold‑chain” protocol for.

Together, these partners formed a robust ecosystem that allowed the Food Project to scale quickly. The article also notes that each donation was recorded on a secure online platform, linked to a dedicated portal on the Fox 11 Food Project website. The portal provides a real‑time dashboard showing how many pounds have been collected and how many have already been distributed.

St. Joseph Food Program: The End‑User

The food collected on Day 2 is destined for the St. Joseph Food Program, a nonprofit that has been serving the region for over a decade. A link embedded in the article leads to the Food Program’s own page, which describes its mission: “To provide immediate access to nutritious food for families in crisis, while also offering nutrition education and grocery‑store tours.”

St. Joseph’s annual report shows that the organization distributes approximately 2,000 meals per day, reaching more than 3,000 individuals each month. The program’s website highlights a recent partnership with the Food Project to expand its reach beyond the immediate catchment area. They have a “Community Kitchen” that prepares hot meals for families that cannot cook at home—a service that has been particularly valuable during the pandemic.

The Food Program’s CEO, Maria Delgado, is quoted in the article: “The support we’ve received from Fox 11 and the local businesses has given us the capacity to serve more families and to expand our meal‑prep services. We couldn’t do this without you.” She goes on to thank the volunteers and donors for helping keep the wheels turning.

Why This Matters

Food insecurity in the Midwest remains a persistent issue. According to the 2024 USDA report, nearly 10% of households in Wisconsin experience food insecurity at some point each year. By 2025, the numbers have not declined substantially. The Fox 11 Food Project not only addresses an immediate need but also builds a sustainable partnership network that can be leveraged for future crises.

Local experts say that community‑driven food drives like this one help create a “social safety net” that complements federal assistance programs such as SNAP. In addition to the food itself, the volunteers gain skills in logistics, teamwork, and community outreach—an often‑overlooked benefit.

How to Get Involved

The article concludes with a call to action: “Anyone who has the time and the means can help.” The Fox 11 Food Project website offers a volunteer sign‑up form and a drop‑off calendar that lists the following locations:

• Menasha Warehouse (main hub)
• Oshkosh Drop‑off (5 p.m.–8 p.m. each Thursday)
• Manitowoc Food Bank (Saturday morning)
• Marinette Community Center (Sunday afternoon)

Additionally, the website lists a “Monetary Donation” portal that accepts online payments via PayPal or Venmo. For those unable to contribute food, the project encourages monetary donations so that the Food Program can purchase fresh produce or pay for transportation.

The Road Ahead

With Day 2 behind them, the Fox 11 Food Project has crossed a significant milestone: 24,600 pounds of food collected over the first two days. The article’s accompanying chart shows a projected trajectory that could see the program reach 50,000 pounds in the next 30 days. The project’s leadership is optimistic but realistic; they emphasize that each pound matters, especially for families who rely on the St. Joseph Food Program as a last line of defense.

The collaboration between a local media outlet, regional businesses, and a nonprofit food program exemplifies a powerful model of civic engagement. As Fox 11 continues to report on community efforts and provide a platform for local voices, the Food Project is poised to become a staple in Northeast Wisconsin’s fight against hunger.

Key Takeaways

The Fox 11 Food Project demonstrates that when media, business, and community collaborate, they can transform an abstract crisis into a concrete solution. For anyone looking to make a difference, the next step is simple: drop off a box of canned goods, sign up to volunteer, or donate online. Together, Northeast Wisconsin can continue to turn the tide against food insecurity.