During this past holiday season, when food insecurity was especially prominent in our community, several Rotary Clubs in La Crosse stepped forward to meet a growing need through the Holiday Meal Box Challenge!
Recognizing growing uncertainties that many families were facing, Anna Sprague and Lauren Journot from the Rotary Club of La Crosse reached out to the YMCA to explore how Rotary could help strengthen the Y’s efforts to provide access to healthy meals during the holidays.
Through this partnership, a grant was submitted to the Rotary Works Foundation, resulting in a $4,000 award. Local Rotary clubs then rallied together, raising an additional $4,990 to expand the YMCA’s holiday meal program. This included $2,040 from Valley View Rotary, $2,000 from Rotary After Hours, and $950 from the Rotary Club of La Crosse. With this combined support, the YMCA was able to provide holiday meals to 300 families across the community.
Support went beyond financial contributions. During one of the meal delivery weeks, Rotary members volunteered alongside YMCA staff to help pack meal boxes, ensuring the program reached families efficiently and with care. This collaboration demonstrates the power of “uniting for good” through impactful community partnerships when it matters most.