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Resources for Families in Need

Resources for Families in Need

As we move into the holiday season and continue to face uncertainty related to the government shutdown, we want to make you aware of the many opportunities to receive and donate holiday food/meals, winter gear, and gifts in our area.

The information below is organized into two sections: (1) resources for families in need and (2) opportunities to support/donate to families in need. We are fortunate to have a number of resources available in our community and encourage all who have a need or desire to contribute to use the links and contact information below to directly make a request or donation. Please note the timelines related to each opportunity. 

RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES IN NEED

Below are resources for holiday meals, food, clothing, and gifts. Please use the links and contact information to directly request these resources.

🥫 Food Pantries & Meal Resources

Karate America Turkey Meal Drive

Karate America is hosting a Turkey Drive to help foster strong communities. Karate America is able to deliver meals and or families can pick them up.

  • Location: 852 Janesville St, Oregon, WI 53575.
  • To request a full turkey meal, please contact Sarah Waidley at kaoregon@gmail.com and specify pickup or delivery. 

Oregon Area Food Pantry (OAFP) 

Anyone living within the Oregon/Brooklyn School District is eligible to use the Food Pantry. New guests are asked to bring a photo ID with their name and address on it OR a utility bill with their name and address listed for the first visit to the Food Pantry to establish their address.  

  • Location: 107 N. Alpine Parkway, Oregon

Hours:

  • 9-11 AM Tuesday weekly
  • 4-6 PM Second and Last Thursdays of the Month
  • 9-11 AM the First Saturday of the Month

Here is a link to their full calendar: oregonareafoodpantry.com/calendar Contact: 291-0709 OregonAreaFoodPantry.com

St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Fitchburg  Open to Dane County residents

  • Location: 2033 Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg

Hours:

  • Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM 
  • Thursday: 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM 

Contact: 608-257-0919, https://svdpmadison.org/program/food-pantry/

Good Neighbors Personal Essentials Pantry 

This pantry specializes in “personal essentials,” which are defined as the toiletry and household items pertinent to everyday life. These items include everything from diapers to all-purpose cleaners. Services are free and there is no need to register.  

  • Location: Arbor Covenant Church, 2509 McDivitt Road, Fitchburg, WI (McDivitt Road is off Todd Drive, one block south of the Beltline).  

Hours:

  • Every Friday 10AM to 12PM
  • Third Thursdays of every month 5:30 to 7:30PM 

Website: gnpep.net

To learn more, contact Robin Cherwinka, cherwinka@tds.net (608) 832-6388 or Nancy Baumgardner, nancybaumgardner@gmail.com (608) 320-0977.

Badger Prairie Needs Network- Verona

The Badger Prairie Needs Network is in Verona and has many services available for families. They have a food pantry, offer free community meals, legal advocacy, and education/ career resources. To register for the food pantry, you need a form of identification and a proof of an address. 

  • Location: 1200 E. Verona Ave, Verona, WI

Hours: 

  • Tues: 10a-12p 
  • Wed: 6-8p 
  • Thurs: 10a-6:30p  
  • Fri: 10a-12p 
  • Sat: 10a-12:30p

Website: https://www.bpnn.org/

👕 Clothing Assistance

Outdoor Winter Gear 

Please contact your school social worker (listed above) to discuss winter clothing needs. We will connect with the school’s PTO or other local community support to see how we can find gently used winter gear (boots, coats, mittens, etc). Your information will be kept strictly confidential. 

Just Between Friends

Resale Event- Fall and Winter Sale- Shop kids' clothes, toys, shoes, books, games at 50-90% off retail.

  • Dates: November 13–15
  • Location: 2102 E Springs Drive, Madison, WI
  • Admission: FREE tickets available via your building social worker
  • More info: jbfsale.com

🎁 Gifts & Toy Drives

Operation Joy Toy Drive  

The Lions Club is organizing a holiday toy drive. Please click on the sign up link for more details.

Empty Stocking Club

The Empty Stocking Club distributes toys to families with children ages 0-16. Each child can receive one toy and one age-appropriate book.

Host a Family

Families with children in the McFarland, Oregon and Stoughton School districts can apply to receive gifts for their children (18 and younger). 

🫶 OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT / DONATE TO FAMILIES IN NEED

Below are opportunities for supporting and donating to families in need within our community. Please use the  links and contact information below to directly donate or coordinate your contribution.

Oregon Area Food Pantry (OAFP)

The OAFP is accepting both monetary and food donations. Please review food dropoff times on the website prior to arriving. 

Operation Joy Toy Drive

The Oregon Brooklyn Lions Club is coordinating this toy drive.  If you would like to donate a new toy, please bring it to the donation boxes at the District Office, Forest Edge Elementary School, Brooklyn Elementary School and the Oregon Police Department. If you prefer to make a cash donation, please mail a check directly to Oregon Lions Club, PO Box 215, Oregon, WI 53575. 

Host a Family

Host A Family provides children who live within the McFarland, Oregon and Stoughton School districts, with holiday gifts.  To be matched with a family, please sign up directly at hostafamily.org. 

Gift Card Donation

We are always in need of gift card donations for OSD families in need. Gift cards that are particularly helpful at this time of year include: Walmart, Kwik Trip (gas), Aldi’s, Target, and HyVee.  Please place the gift card in an envelope, write “holiday gift card donation” on the outside of the envelope, and drop it off / mail to the main office of your student’s school.

 

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