MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – To kick off National Dairy Month in Wisconsin, the Adopt a Dairy Cow Campaign is making a return to help provide those in need with a nutritious item rarely donated to local foodbanks.
The Adopt a Dairy Cow program started in 2015 to provide people in southwestern Wisconsin with milk and Second Harvest Foodbank is looking for your help in getting the rarely donated nutrient-rich product.
“Over the last eight years of Adopt a Dairy Cow, it has grown tremendously because not only has our relationship with Sassy Cow grown, has our distribution of milk in general has grown,” Kris Tazelaar with Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin said. “Of course you have the pandemic where it just kind of exacerbated all of the big challenges that we already had.”
Tazelaar said some of Second Harvest Foodbank’s partner food providers have seen two to three times the number of people walking through their doors looking for help when it comes to putting food on the table.
“That’s who we are here to provide that assistance to because they’re seeing unprecedented numbers of people walking through their doors so we need to try to step up to meet that need,” he said.
The first $65,000 will be matched, thanks to Werndli Charitable Fund, Alliant Energy, and other generous partners. Every dollar counts.
Once you’ve made your gift, your confirmation email will contain links to your printable adoption certificate and a coupon for a free quart of Sassy Cow ice cream.
For every $25 you donate to Adopt-A-Dairy Cow, we will be able to purchase and distribute 32 half-gallons of milk to neighbors experiencing food insecurity.
Governor Tony Evers kicked off June Dairy Month on Thursday, sharing this video. Throughout the month of June, Evers will be visiting dairy farmers, processors, and producers, as well as local community and agricultural industry leaders across the state, to celebrate the strength of Wisconsin’s dairy industry and to highlight the state’s investments in the dairy and agricultural industries.
“Wisconsin’s dairy industry is our past and our present, and it will be a key part of our future,” Evers said. “So, whether it’s a fried or fresh cheese curd, custard or ice cream, chocolate milk or regular milk, this Dairy Month, join me in supporting Wisconsin’s dairy farmers and producers and all that makes Wisconsin, Wisconsin.”
Additionally, Second Harvest will host a “Day at the Creamery” between 1 p.m. and 4 pm. on Thursday, June 22, at the Sassy Cow Creamery, at W4192 Bristol Road, in Columbus. The organization will have staff on hand and promises activities for the whole family. That night, they are partnering with Forward Madison and will host a 50/50 raffle. Fans may also get the chance to adopt the mascot Lionella Bessi with a donation to Adopt-A-Dairy Cow.
Click here to donate or Adopt a Dairy Cow.
