SSM Health is giving a $20,000 community health gift to the Fondy Food Pantry to support its Food for Thought program, which helps reduce childhood hunger by providing nutritious weekend food bags and school-day snacks to approximately 1,100 children each week throughout Fond du Lac County and surrounding communities.

Now in its 15th year, the Food for Thought program serves students in the Fond du Lac, Eden, Campbellsport, and Ripon school districts. The program provides nutritious weekend food bags containing balanced meals and snacks, along with snack bins for middle and high schools and daily classroom snacks for homeless elementary-aged children. The goal is to ensure children who rely on school meals during the week continue to have access to healthy food when school is not in session.

“Each food bag is carefully curated to align with USDA MyPlate guidelines, offering balanced portions of fruits, vegetables, protein, and dairy,” according to Fondy Food Pantry Executive Director David Diaz. “Well-nourished students are better able to focus, engage and perform in school, and reducing hunger improves attendance rates, classroom behavior and academic achievement.”

Fondy Food Pantry serves more than 41,000 people annually through its food assistance programs, including its free walk-in pantry, Food for Thought program, home delivery service and Homeless Box Program. In 2025 alone, the pantry served 41,827 individuals, including more than 33,000 residents of Fond du Lac County.

Food insecurity continues to impact families throughout the region. Rising grocery prices, unexpected hardships and economic challenges have caused many households to seek assistance for the first time. The Fondy Food Pantry reported serving approximately 1,500 new families in 2025 and distributes thousands of pounds of food during each pantry session.

“Good nutrition is essential to a child’s health, development and ability to learn,” according to Shane Smith, SSM Health Fond du Lac Market president. “By supporting the Food for Thought program, we are helping children arrive at school better prepared to learn while addressing a critical community health need. This partnership reflects our commitment to improving health and well-being beyond the walls of our hospitals.”

According to Feeding America, millions of Americans continue to experience food insecurity each year. Programs like Food for Thought help bridge nutrition gaps for children while supporting healthier outcomes for families and communities.

David Diaz (center), Fondy Food Pantry executive director, accepts a $20,000 donation from SSM Health representatives Shane Smith (left), SSM Health Fond du Lac Market president, and Bryan Kress, SSM Health Wisconsin Northern Region director Finance.

Date posted: September 28, 2026