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An End-of-Year Message from Executive Director Ellen Carlson

I love roller coasters, even at my age! I love the anticipation of the climb, the rush of the drop, the way your stomach flips on a sharp turn. But I’m able to enjoy them because I know the engineers have designed every heart-racing twist for maximum safety. 2025 felt like being strapped into a roller coaster ride that we didn’t choose to get on, nor that felt safe. Federal policy and funding changes sent us climbing, dropping, and whipping around corners we couldn’t have imagined. We had to lean into every turn and figure out in real-time how to keep everyone as safe as possible–and remain seated in the cart.

What made it possible to stay on the track through all the twists and turns? We held on to each other. Our community strapped in alongside us on the bumpy ride–ascending to maximum highs by partnering to create stability in our community. Throughout the ups and downs and uncertainty, WayForward Resources has stayed grounded in our mission and values, while being nimble and responsive to what was happening around us. And together we made a difference.

One of the most significant challenges of the year occurred a couple of months ago, when SNAP benefits lapsed due to the federal government shutdown. Visits to our food pantry increased rapidly during that time as thousands of local SNAP recipients, who depend on those benefits to buy groceries at the store, worried about how they would feed themselves and their families. I was overwhelmed with sadness by what was happening to people in our community–and at the same time, I was also overwhelmed with gratitude and joy by how the community responded immediately–mobilizing and jumping in with increased food and financial donations. Working late, I would see cars drive in to drop off boxes and bags and carfuls of food without pause. By comparison, we had nearly three times as much food donated during the six weeks after our information went out as we did last year during this same time period. People experiencing this scare had access to ample food because you donated your resources of food, money, and time. We came together in this critical moment because we all envision a community where no one has to worry about if they will go hungry.

And while SNAP benefits have since been restored, much uncertainty and concern remains. Expected federal cuts to SNAP in 2026 will put 90,000 Wisconsinites at risk of losing their benefits. This will increase the number of people relying on food pantries. WayForward’s food pantry and the pantry system in our community are already stretched trying to keep pace with the record-level demand. Thankfully, to date, we have not had to turn anyone away from the food pantry, but it remains challenging to keep our shelves stocked with food. In the year ahead, we will be working even more closely with five other large food pantries in Dane County to explore new ways to order food together in bulk and pool our resources to bring in more food. And we will be relying even more on community food donations and food drives to ensure we can continue to feed our neighbors.

Our housing programs are also experiencing record demand. This past October, we received the most emergency fund requests we have ever had in a single month. One factor is that housing prices in Dane County are climbing much faster than wages. While new housing is continuously being built, it has proved challenging to keep up with Dane County’s growing population of all incomes. (Did you know that some projections have the Dane County area population at more than 1 million people by 2050?) Solving our housing problems truly requires a community-wide effort. This year, we hosted a number of informative presentations in order to share what we are seeing in our programs and hearing from the people we serve with decision-makers and community members. We hope this increased knowledge and understanding will lead to new approaches and effective solutions.

The roller coaster of federal policy changes impacted our housing programs as well. We were awarded a significant federal grant in 2024 to support our Connections program, which helps families in doubled-up situations (living with others because they don’t have anywhere else to stay) move into stable housing. While we had expected the funding to arrive over the summer to pick up where previous funding was sunsetting, it has still not arrived. There continues to be complications and confusion with much of the federal funding for community housing programs. This has caused disruption not only to our program, but to housing programs throughout the community. While we are still hoping for our grant to arrive, we are also exploring alternative ways to support families in this program in 2026.

When people ask me, “How are things?,” it can be difficult to answer! It’s hard right now for so many people in our community. We talk with people every day who are facing huge barriers and who are feeling scared as they have seen a wide range of stability-supporting community resources disrupted. But also, we have been inspired and energized by the strength of our community’s support that has helped us navigate these bumps and curves so that we can continue to provide food and housing resources for our neighbors.

We are still strapped into this bumpy ride. But we’re keeping our eyes wide open, preparing for the year ahead that we anticipate will be full of more unexpected twists and curves. We ask for your continued partnership in our work together to ensure everyone in our community has the nutritious food and stable housing needed to thrive. There are a number of ways you can still join us in making a difference this year. Make a tax-deductible financial donation online, by check, from your IRA, appreciated stock, or donor-advised fund. Donations of your time through volunteering or donations of food also make an immediate, impactful difference. You can purchase items directly from our online wish list for delivery, or use our top 10 list to buy items locally to drop off.

Thank you for choosing to create stability in our community–here, now, and for the future.

Sincerely,

Ellen Carlson, Executive Director

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Darren Fortney, active volunteer, board member, donor advisory council member, and legacy donor at WayForward Resources, shares what inspired him to include the organization in his planned giving.

Why did you decide to make a Legacy Gift to WayForward Resources?

I’ve been a longtime supporter, advocate, and board member of WayForward Resources. Being a resident of the Middleton area for 25 years, I have seen firsthand the valuable work that we do.

Unfortunately, I anticipate that the need to help those in our community will continue long after I am gone. Giving a legacy gift was one way of ensuring that the small ripple of support that I can offer now continues long into the future. The concept of providing a lasting legacy gift to an organization that I am fully supportive of was a no-brainer for me.

What compels or inspires you most about WayForward Resources?

Being in the Good Neighbor City, I think it’s important to support all our residents and their needs, including those residing in neighboring areas of Middleton. Whether it be employment, transportation, food, childcare, or housing, they are all vital components for sustainable living and providing for a vibrant, welcoming community.

WayForward Resources supports two of those initiatives, food and housing, so I could not think of a better organization to offer my gift to. Having been involved with the organization for over a decade, I’ve seen firsthand the value of the work we do and want to see that ripple continue long into the future.

If you were talking to someone else about making a gift to WayForward Resources through their will or estate, what would you tell them?

To be honest, it was surprisingly easy. Most people, at some point in their lives, will be considering establishing a will or trust. Establishing a legacy gift is very straightforward, and most of the professionals who create such documents are well-versed in it. In my case, it was as simple as establishing a written commitment and a dollar amount in the document. It was that easy. I’m humbled to do my part, both now and well into the future.

Talk to Us About Becoming a Legacy Donor

Interested in discussing including WayForward Resources in your estate plan, or to let us know that you already have? Contact Valerie Cavanagh, Development Director, valerie@wayforwardresources.org, (608) 826-3418.

Last week, on August 21, WayForward Resources’ Back to School program held its annual distribution of backpacks and school supplies to students from 4K to college. Excited kids arrived throughout the day, some immediately knowing what they wanted, while others took their time to decide on a backpack that was right for them, and left with smiles and a skip in their step, ready to start school.

The entire effort would not have been possible without the generous contributions of time and funds from many, which enabled us to assemble 575 backpacks with school supplies, plus 20 college supply bags. A big thank you to:

Our wonderful volunteers: Lynn Metz, who put in many hours–without her help, this program would be difficult to pull off; Amelia Kim, who volunteered throughout the summer; Future Foam, who moved everything from our office to St. Luke’s; volunteers who helped pack and give away the backpacks, and those who helped bring items back to WayForward after the event.

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, our host, welcomed us into their church and provided the use of their Friendship Hall, making it possible for us to sort supplies, fill backpacks, and welcome students and their families. Additionally, they also held a school supply drive.

Middleton Public Library added to the fun of distribution day by bringing 600 books to give away free to all the kids. 

The community’s response to our request for support! It was amazing to see the donations come in over the past three months, including items delivered from our Amazon wishlist, donations of school supplies dropped off, and financial contributions. 

The many companies, organizations, and individuals who ran drives to collect school supplies, including:

Artis REIT
Burn Boot Camp Middleton
City of Middleton  
Dale Heights Presbyterian Church 
Exact Sciences  
Fickett Structural Solutions  
Forvis Mazars  
Junction Ridge Neighborhood Association  
Kirsch Enchanted Valley Acres  
Lutheran Church of the Living Christ  
No Fear Dentistry – Madison
McClone Insurance 
Middleton Community Church UCC  
Rosewood Resident’s Fund  
St. Dunstan’s Church
St. Martin’s Lutheran Church 
Standard Imaging  
TDS  
Thermo Fisher Scientific  
Vierbicher  
Will Rothering and Drew Onopa

See more Back to School photos on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Thank you to everyone who helped kids in our community start school ready to learn by donating school supplies or funds!



Making a Difference Together

April is Global Volunteer Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the impact of volunteers worldwide. At WayForward Resources, we’re proud to join this global celebration by honoring the extraordinary individuals who make our mission possible.

As our Volunteer Program Manager, Pam Higham, expresses:

“At WayForward Resources, we warmly welcome volunteers as invited guests, valued colleagues, and essential members of the WayForward community. Volunteers generously share their time and talents to create food security and housing stability, contributing across every corner of our organization. I am privileged to witness something beautiful as this unfolds: the spirit of volunteerism uplifts everyone – paid staff, unpaid staff, and those we serve!”

The Impact of Volunteerism in Numbers

Meet A Few Of Our Volunteers

Throughout Global Volunteer Month, we’re highlighting the stories of some of our amazing volunteers. Each brings their unique perspective and passion to WayForward Resources, and together, they make our mission possible.

Debbie Loomis

Debbie began volunteering in 2021 during the height of COVID, working in our drive-up food pantry. Since then, she’s spread joy as a holiday Elf at our Holiday Art Market and now welcomes donors at our donation center.

Her inspiration comes from her 95-year-old mother-in-law who volunteered until just weeks before her passing. “Knowing what a need there is in the community and connecting with various donors (many have wonderful stories) keeps me motivated to continue volunteering,” Debbie explains.

The moments that stay with her are deeply human connections. She treasures interactions with donors who are donating items from loved ones who have passed away, or former clients giving back. “I’m always so touched that at such times of great sadness they are able to think of us at WayForward and share their story with me.”

One of her favorite memories? “A donor’s little girl, probably around 7 years old, donated a couple pairs of her sparkly shoes. She was speaking Spanish and I was able to thank her and tell her what pretty eyes she had in her language, earning a big hug from her!”

When asked what she would say to someone considering volunteering with WayForward, Debbie’s advice is simple: “Just do it!! It’s so rewarding and the people you work with are all amazing, passionate, and fun!”

Linda Pils

Linda’s journey with WayForward began through community food drives. “I started volunteering because I was part of a community that made food collections a priority and then donated the food to WayForward,” she explains. As her understanding of food insecurity grew, so did her commitment to our mission.

Every Thursday afternoon, you’ll find Linda at the milk, eggs, and meat coolers, serving our diverse community. She shares, “Some are hesitant and just learning where food is stored, some are old friends and we chat about how their kids are doing or how was work that day.”

For Linda, volunteering brings a special kind of fulfillment: “When my shift is completed, I don’t leave with a full grocery basket, but I do leave with a full heart.”

It’s the simple expressions of gratitude that make the experience so meaningful. As Linda puts it, “Volunteering is rewarding, it is the many ‘Thank you, for being here’ comments that fill me up, reinforcing the graciousness of our guests.”

Mike Glassford

Mike joined our volunteer team just one year ago in March 2024. His motivation? “To give back to the community and serve others in my retirement.” This simple yet powerful purpose has made a meaningful difference to countless pantry guests.

Like many of our volunteers, Mike has been touched by the resilience of those we serve. He shares, “One of our guests told me she and her children just moved into a house after being homeless for a year and WayForward had helped her through that rough time and is still helping them now. She was filled with tears when she told me this story and it touched my heart.”

What keeps Mike coming back week after week? “All the great people I work with. Such a wonderful atmosphere and love for helping others. I have also made some new friends there and that is great to me.”

To all our volunteers: Thank you for being essential members of our community. Your generosity creates ripples of positive change that extend far beyond the hours you contribute. You are the heart of WayForward Resources, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to creating food and housing security in our community.

Join Our Volunteer Team

Inspired by these stories? We invite you to consider joining volunteers like Mike, Debbie, Linda, and the nearly 950 others who make our work possible. Whether you can give an hour a week or a day a month, your time makes a difference.

Some Current Volunteer Opportunities:

For more information about volunteering with WayForward Resources visit our Become A Volunteer page or contact our Volunteer Program Manager, Pam Higham, by email or phone (608) 826-3409.

A year-end message from WayForward Executive Director Ellen Carlson

It’s been another year of unprecedented growth at WayForward. For an organization that focuses on providing the basic building blocks of stability–food and housing, growth is both positive and negative.

On one hand, we have made an impact on more people’s lives than ever before. Thanks to the support of the community, we have been able to serve over 13,000 people last year–more than twice as many as the year before. That means twice as many people have been able to avoid eviction and stay in their homes and have received the nutritious food they need.

On the other hand, our organizational growth has been driven by the tremendous rise in demand for our services. That’s why unprecedented growth is also cause for concern. We are seeing three times as many visits to our food pantry as we did just two years ago, and our case managers are booking emergency housing appointments out weeks in advance.

Numbers like these mean many visitors are coming to our food pantry for the first time. In fact, 50% of people who came to the food pantry last year were first-time visitors. Children and families with children are overrepresented. Around 75% percent of people who received food were in households with children. And nearly 100% of families served by our Connections program, a housing program that works with those in doubled-up housing situations, have children.

Key factors in this increased demand for our services include the rise in food prices, the population growth in Dane County and in Middleton and west Madison specifically, and perhaps most significantly, the increase in housing prices in our area. While we have a very low unemployment rate in Dane County, many of these jobs don’t pay enough to cover the rising cost of living here. Community members who were just barely making ends meet before are now unable to absorb a $150/month rent increase. With no increase in pay and nowhere cheaper to rent, they are turning to WayForward to bridge the gap.

These are big problems–problems that are greater than anything WayForward can address alone. And with the affordable housing gap widening and housing prices continuing to rise, we expect the number of people unable to cover the basic expenses of food and housing to continue to grow. We are committed to continuing to adapt, innovate and expand and to do all we can to make sure people have the food and stable housing they need to lay a solid foundation.

We also know that problems that are larger than us require solutions that are larger than us. We have already seen the community responding with growing support. Thank you. As we have shared with you what we are seeing, we are continuously met with offers to join the effort to build a strong community where everyone has the basic building blocks of stability. Because of your support, we have raised more dollars and brought in more community donated food this year than any previous year in our history. This is what has made it possible for us to serve more people than ever before.

In the months and years ahead, we will continue to need your support. As we expect to see demand continuing to increase, the only way we can meet it is with increased support. There are a number of ways you can still make a tax-deductible financial donation this year. Donations of your time or donations of food can also make an immediate difference. You can purchase items directly from our wish list or use our top 10 list to purchase items locally.

Donations like these help us address the immediate needs of the people coming in our doors every day. But we know that we must do more and dig deeper to address the larger issues that are leading to this increased need for food and housing support in our community. We invite you to learn more about these issues and add your voice to the conversations to develop larger, community-wide solutions. We will be hosting some opportunities in this coming year and sharing some opportunities hosted by others.

Our mission statement says we bring the community together to create food and housing security. We know the only way to create stability is through a community-wide effort. Thank you for joining with us this past year. We look forward to continuing to work together in 2025.

Sincerely,

Ellen Carlson, Executive Director

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“As COVID restrictions eased, I sought out volunteer opportunities in the Seniors Program at WayForward. I joined the volunteers who schedule rides and drive seniors to appointments. Over the last two and half years, I have also learned much more about the ever-increasing need for services and resources related to food insecurity and housing stability. I am continually amazed at the dedication of staff and volunteers to support the needs of the community. All this has inspired me to continue to support the mission of WayForward with volunteer time and financial support.

Now more than ever, whatever you can do, do it! Every volunteer effort and financial contribution makes a difference.”

Gale Barber, WayForward Volunteer

You can join community members like Gale by making a difference on Giving Tuesday. Follow along on Facebook on December 3rd!

WayForward is celebrating Global Volunteer Month in April and the volunteers who give their time and talents to build food security and housing stability in our community. Last year, more than 1,100 WayForward volunteers gave nearly 25,000 hours to support our programs.

Meet Mark Walther, who volunteers three mornings a week in WayForward’s food pantry warehouse.

Volunteer role: Mark started volunteering at WayForward a little more than a year ago after retiring. He tried out a range of roles before deciding he most enjoyed working in the food pantry warehouse, where he unloads and sorts deliveries three mornings a week. At the end of last year, he got a notification about how many volunteer hours he had accumulated and picked up even more shifts to reach 500 hours of volunteering in 2023. 

How did you get started? My wife is younger than I am, and she’s still working. So she was working from home and I had to be very quiet. So I needed to find something to do. … so I tried everything. I stocked, I cleaned, I went out on the truck for rescues, and I decided that the warehouse was where I belong.

What keeps you coming back? I enjoy the physical work. I enjoy the fact it’s a reason to get up in the morning and go somewhere. Getting up in the morning and having breakfast and reading the paper at home – I would still be in bed right now. So this gets me up and going and gets on with the day, so it’s good for me.  It’s also great to be social with other people. I’ve kind of coalesced a group on Wednesday and Friday – I call them my crew.

What has surprised you about volunteering at WayForward? I’m amazed at how much food comes in and goes out here. A contribution that comes in the front door today will be gone today. And you can’t ignore the need. They’re lined up here at 7:30 in the morning when I arrive and it doesn’t open until 10. 

What would you say to encourage someone else to volunteer at WayForward? You’re doing a good deed. You’re doing something for other people, so that’s always important. But I think it’s good for you to get out and be social and to do some work, and everyone has something they can contribute. People come here from so many different backgrounds, it’s just interesting to find out what people do. I’m always asking people, ‘What did you do before you were here?’ And then I’m amazed. 

WayForward is celebrating Global Volunteer Month in April and the volunteers who give their time and talents to build food security and housing stability in our community.  Last year, more than 1,100 WayForward volunteers gave nearly 25,000 hours to support our programs.

Meet Jamie Russell, one of our newer volunteers in WayForward’s food pantry.

Volunteer role: Jamie started volunteering six weeks ago in the food pantry warehouse, where he helps unload, sort and stock food for distribution to the community.

How did you get started? We lived in Middleton for years. We were financial supporters, but working full time. I recently retired, so I thought it was time for me to start doing something. And there was an email that came – we’re on the email list for WayForward – and it said “We’re looking for volunteers.” I thought, “Might as well give it a shot.”

What has surprised you about volunteering at WayForward? The surprise is how much effort that goes into this. From the outside, it doesn’t look like it’s as much effort as it actually is. It takes a lot of sweat.

What would you say to encourage someone else to volunteer at WayForward? My wife just retired this week, so I’m telling her this is a great opportunity. In fact, I saw a couple of people I know she knows here. I would tell anybody give it a shot … it’s a rewarding thing to do and it gets you out of the house and you’re doing something.

 

WayForward is celebrating Global Volunteer Month in April and the volunteers who give their time and talents to build food security and housing stability in our community.  Last year, more than 1,100 WayForward volunteers gave nearly 25,000 hours to support our programs.

Meet Violet Goscha, one of our newer volunteers, who gives her time in WayForward’s clothing center.

Volunteer role: Violet is a junior at Middleton High School who started volunteering in February at WayForward’s Clothing Center, sorting and organizing donations to put out on the floor for guests to choose from. Clothing is available for free to Dane County residents.

How did you get started?  I’ve lived and grew up in Middleton, and so I kind of always knew about WayForward. I wanted an organized, well-structured type of volunteering. And so I just reached out and it was a super simple process.

What keeps you coming back? It’s been a really great experience so far. The most fun thing I think about volunteering, especially in like the clothing center, is that I get to see the range of donations that we’re able to accept. Being able to place it in a way that people can come in and feel at home, and where it’s like you’re shopping and we organize it for them … this is something I can do.

What has surprised you about volunteering at WayForward?  I was really intimidated going in, but then I started and the community here is what really surprised me. I walked through the door, and everyone was like, “Oh my gosh, a new person! Can I meet her?” It’s the best part of it, because I get to stay here and not only help people, but also interact with community people and meet new friends.

What would you tell a friend who is considering volunteering? I think the biggest reason why I would say someone should volunteer here is because you get a family-like environment where you can help people and it’s organized and it’s so perfect for a schedule for a high schooler like me. … Having a scheduled, almost job-like environment helps a lot. So I love recommending it to people who are my age, in high school and just really wanting to reach out and find a community.

After relocating to Wisconsin a few years ago to live near family, Marcia Sokol-Anderson’s goal was to give back in her retirement.

When in-person volunteering during the pandemic was not a comfortable option, she found a way to leverage a lifelong hobby to support people in her new community.

Sokol-Anderson, who first started knitting at age 10, had been in search of a new project once she finished making baby blankets for her new grandson. So she started buying skeins of yarn for knitting hats to donate to WayForward’s Clothing Center to help people stay warm during the winter months.

Last year she made 80 machine-washable hats.

“I live near WayForward, which is clearly a wonderful organization,” she says. “It was a no-brainer to donate the hats to their clothing center, especially for women who face Wisconsin winters! I plan to keep on knitting, and supplying hats for quite a while.”