Pick 'n Save Marshfield is Committed to Solving Hunger in their Community

Donating almost 32,900 pounds (over 27,300 meals) back to the community in 2022.

The Pick ‘n Save Marshfield store team is passionate about supporting hunger relief in their community. With this passion coupled with following in-store best practices to reduce food waste, the store gleans and donates surplus food to nonprofit organizations providing the food back to the community. The donations provided by the store team consist of shelf-stable goods, frozen items, and items from their perishable departments including meat, produce, deli, bakery, and dairy!

On July 19, the store team was recognized for donating almost 32,900 pounds of food (over 27,300 meals) in 2022 and earned the honor of being awarded #1 out of the 105 stores in Wisconsin. During the event, $6,000 in grants were presented to their partner organizations: St. Vincent de Paul of Marshfield, Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo & Safari, and Soup or Socks.

“All three of the organizations work hard to provide food, education, and resources to the community,” said Jake, Store Director at Pick ‘n Save Marshfield. “I have friends, family, and co-workers that take advantage of the benefits offered by these organizations. Kroger has put me in a position where I am able to lead a team of caring associates to truly make a difference by supporting these organizations within our community.”

Here are how these organizations utilize those food donations:

St. Vincent de Paul of Marshfield visits the store weekly Monday through Friday to pick up cases of donations from across the store including frozen meat items, packaged sandwiches and salads for distribution that day. The donations meet the pantry’s requirements and are still good for human consumption supporting the pantry’s 300 visitors per month.

The store also supports St. Vincent with $5 and $10 paper bags filled with non-perishable food customers can purchase and donate to the pantry year-round. The team also assists the pantry with different events throughout the year like during Thanksgiving helping feed 400 Marshfield area families.

Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo & Safari, six days a week, picks up food donations to assist in feeding the more than 1,700 animals (and 229 different species) that reside at the facility.

“We are lucky to partner with Pick ‘n Save to receive all the produce (and even a little meat!) that is not eligible to be donated for human consumption,” said Sarah Storandt, Wildwood Zoo Manager. “We are able to receive all types of produce and any meat that is not processed or seasoned.”

“It decreases our grocery bill, which allows us to continue expanding other areas of the zoo, such as conservation and education. It also allows the animals to sample a large range of foods that they might not otherwise receive. Our bears have a new love for both papaya and crab legs!”

Soup or Socks benefitted from the “United We Can!” event in March 2023, where shoppers donated $5 or $10 in non-perishable grocery items to help build a sculpture near the entrance of the store. Following the event, the $1,450 in canned food donations were stocked on the shelves at the food pantry.

“Our partnership with Pick 'n Save is in the form of donations through food drives they have coordinated,” said Cheryl Lewis Hartl, BS, CVA, Director, Soup or Socks. “Soup or Socks is a United Way Partner Program, and we were pleased to have the Marshfield store build a sculpture this year for ‘United We Can’. We compiled a list of most needed items at the time, and they hit the bullseye with their collection.”

“We can count on the store to have some of the best deals, so that our donor dollars stretch farther. As a choice pantry that allows the families we serve to choose the foods that work best for their household, we feel that part of our mission is to keep the shelves stocked with quality food.”

“I have talked to several community members who tell me that Pick ‘n Save goes above and beyond,” included Mayor Lois TeStrake, City of Marshfield, who is a regular shopper at the store. “Everyone is so friendly and helpful. We are proud of what you give back to the community which helps make our town an even better place to live.”

In addition to the food donations, Pick ‘n Save Marshfield further supports these organizations by coordinating large orders for St. Vincent de Paul, donates pumpkins and supplies volunteers for Wildwood Zoo’s Howl-O-Ween fundraising event, and is hosting a “Supplies 4 Success” school supply drive benefitting Soup or Socks supporting students for back-to-school season.

The extent of the support Jake and the entire Store Team provides to the Marshfield community is significant. We appreciate them for going the extra mile to make a difference!