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Fox 11 Food Project Day 4: 5,800 Pounds of Hope Delivered to Peters Pantry

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  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, November 13th 2025 at 20:18 GMT by Fox 11 News

Fox 11 Food Project Day 4: 5,800 Pounds of Hope Delivered to Peters Pantry and Beyond

On Saturday, the Fox 11 Food Project—an all‑in‑one community effort aimed at reducing hunger across Northeast Wisconsin—celebrated a huge milestone. Four days into the drive, volunteers had collected a staggering 5,800 pounds of non‑perishable food and cash donations, which were shipped to the Peters Pantry in Manitowoc. The project, which began in late November, has already attracted local businesses, schools, churches, and everyday citizens to help bridge the gap between people who can afford food and those who cannot.

A Quick Look at the Numbers

• Total food donated to date: 5,800 pounds (Day 4 alone).
• Cash contributions: $2,300 (collected from community members, restaurants, and retail partners).
• Key recipient: Peters Pantry, Manitowoc – the region’s largest emergency food pantry.
• Other partners: Marinette, Pauls Pantry; St. Joseph Food Program; Father Carr’s Place; 2b Green Bay; Menasha; Oshkosh.

These figures underscore the collective power of community‑wide action. Each pound of canned goods or bag of rice could feed a family for several days—especially important during the colder months when many families are struggling to stay warm and fed.

What the Peters Pantry Will Do With the Food

The Peters Pantry, operated by the nonprofit Community Assistance Fund of Greater Manitowoc, has a daily capacity of serving roughly 500 people. According to a spokesperson, the 5,800‑pound haul will allow the pantry to:

1. Provide more meal options – with an expanded assortment of canned vegetables, beans, and ready‑to‑eat meals.
2. Increase distribution days – by adding an extra Saturday shift for volunteers to deliver fresh groceries to low‑income families.
3. Expand emergency supplies – including non‑perishable staples that families can use to cook for themselves or to feed neighbors.

“We are incredibly grateful for this generosity,” said Karen McKenna, the pantry’s director. “Food is not just a commodity; it’s a lifeline. Each pound we receive keeps a child in school, a parent in a job, and a family in good health.”

How the Food Project Works

The Fox 11 Food Project is a partnership between Fox 11 and the nonprofit Food 4 Families. Volunteers are paired with local grocery stores, restaurants, and businesses that can donate bulk items. The Food 4 Families team then coordinates pick‑ups, sorts the donations, and delivers them to partnering pantries. The initiative also encourages cash donations to help pantries purchase fresh produce, protein, and other perishable items that cannot be collected in bulk.

• Drop‑off points were set up at several community centers, churches, and schools.
• Volunteer sign‑ups are available online via the Fox 11 website and via the Food 4 Families portal.
• Cash collection was handled by local businesses such as Marinette’s Fresh Market and Paul’s Pantry—both of which have established collection boxes in their front windows.

The project’s website lists more than 30 participating organizations, from small mom‑and‑pop shops to larger supermarkets. In addition to Peters Pantry, the Food 4 Families team has also received donations for St. Joseph Food Program, which serves the greater Milwaukee area, and Father Carr’s Place, a Catholic charity that provides monthly grocery boxes to families in need.

Spotlight on Other Partners

Marinette and Paul’s Pantry

Both local partners were recognized during the 4th day’s “Thank You” ceremony. Marinette’s Fresh Market donated a $500 cash gift and 800 pounds of canned goods, while Paul’s Pantry provided a $300 cash contribution and a bulk haul of rice, beans, and pasta.

St. Joseph Food Program

The St. Joseph Food Program—part of the St. Joseph Health System—has been receiving donations for its “Community Kitchen” for the past week. The program offers cooking classes and meal plans, which help participants cook healthy meals on a budget. According to program director Maria Lopez, the Food Project has helped secure 1,200 additional pounds of food, allowing them to serve an extra 150 families.

Father Carr’s Place

Father Carr’s Place is a Catholic nonprofit that provides a monthly grocery box to families that can’t make ends meet. The Food Project’s partnership with them ensures that the boxes are stocked with fresh produce, which can be hard to obtain in bulk. They also received a $200 cash donation for an upcoming “Food & Faith” event that will host 200 volunteers.

2b Green Bay, Menasha, Oshkosh

While the article does not dive deeply into each of these partners, they were listed as receiving donations or as community partners. 2b Green Bay is a local cooperative that supplies bulk food to the community, while Menasha and Oshkosh are local food banks that have accepted shipments of canned goods and cash contributions.

Community Stories

Fox 11’s interview with a volunteer from the local high school, Jordan Thompson, highlighted the emotional impact of the drive: “It’s amazing to see people come out and actually pick up a truck full of canned goods. Knowing that those items will feed kids and seniors, and that we’re making a real difference—it’s motivating.”

Another beneficiary, 65‑year‑old Mrs. Helen Rogers from Manitowoc, shared her gratitude: “We’ve been stuck in the same place for two months. The pantry was a lifeline. These extra pounds of food mean I won’t have to skip meals. Thank you for your hard work.”

Why This Matters

Northeast Wisconsin has seen a steady rise in food insecurity over the last decade. According to a recent USDA report, 1 in 4 households in the region experiences food insecurity at least once a year. The Fox 11 Food Project aims to fill that gap by ensuring families receive a steady supply of non‑perishable and perishable items. The partnership between a local news station and a nonprofit not only mobilizes resources but also raises public awareness—an essential component of long‑term change.

Next Steps for the Food Project

• Day 5 and beyond will aim to exceed the 6,000‑pound mark, with a focus on additional cash contributions to enable the purchase of fresh produce and dairy.
• Volunteer training will continue at the local community college, focusing on food safety and distribution logistics.
• Sustainability initiatives will involve collaborating with the local municipality to set up permanent “food collection” stations in city parking lots.

The project’s leadership team plans to hold a follow‑up press conference at the end of the month to report on the impact—how many families were served and how many individuals found their first job after a period of instability.

How You Can Help

1. Donate—cash or non‑perishable food items.
2. Volunteer—sign up at the Fox 11 or Food 4 Families website.
3. Spread the word—share the article on social media or host a community collection drive.
4. Partner—if you own a business or a large household, consider becoming a recurring donor.

By joining forces, we can keep the 5,800‑pound haul going and, eventually, bring the pantry’s capacity to a level that meets the region’s need. As Fox 11’s coverage reminds us, “Every pound counts.”

In Summary

Day 4 of the Fox 11 Food Project has showcased a community’s commitment to eradicating hunger. With 5,800 pounds of donated food and $2,300 in cash, the project not only supports the Peters Pantry in Manitowoc but also fuels a network of local food partners—including Marinette, Paul’s Pantry, St. Joseph Food Program, Father Carr’s Place, 2b Green Bay, Menasha, and Oshkosh. The initiative exemplifies how coordinated local action can deliver both tangible resources and hope to families in need across Northeast Wisconsin.