GREEN BAY, Wis. (NBC 26) -- Some students in Brown County rely on school for their meals. Now that schools are closed due to coronavirus, they're still able to get food through local organizations.
Ben's Wish was started in 2008 by Peter and Becky Delain in memory of their son, Ben. The goal of the program is to feed the hungry in our community with food drives, collections to support local food pantries, educational activities and a weekend backpack program.
Today, social workers from different school districts were sorting food from provided by Ben's Wish and preparing to hand it out to families.
"Coronavirus has added a whole new layer and a whole new large group of number of families who are now struggling," said Andrea Pasqualucci, a school social worker at Ashwaubenon School District.
Pasqualucci added that some families were already struggling to make ends meet. They're helping those families as well as ones that are now in need because of job loss, daycare costs, or other effects of the coronavirus outbreak.
"There's such a need for food and always has been, but now even greater because those that got by before. Now, it's really an issue," said Becky Delain.
Over this weekend, they say they will be supporting 430 students in the Brown County area. Then they plan to be able to help 480 students in the upcoming weekends. Social workers said they will be at the warehouse every Thursday to pick up food.
They also delivered food to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Green Bay.
Ben's Wish relies on volunteers and they're asking members of the community to help them feed students in our area through donations. Becky said monetary donations are preferred so germs aren't being spread. To donate, click here.
