We provide fresh, frozen and shelf-stable food to children, families and anyone with food insecurity.
Our Mission & Goals
Mission:
The Hudson Area Backpack Program seeks to assist students, families and all individuals experiencing food insecurity by providing food and basic items for daily living. Students, families, and individuals can access food through any or all of our programs. Any individual living in St. Croix County is eligible to participate in any or all of our programs.
Goals:
To increase access to healthy food for students, families and any individuals living in St. Croix County who are experiencing food insecurity.
To continually address the diverse food insecurity needs of each individual and to provide access to food resources in a model of delivery that is relevant and convenient to their situations.
To raise awareness in our community about food insecurity affecting students, families and individuals who may be struggling economically.
Our Situation
St. Croix County has a total population of more than 90,000 people. Nearly one-third live below the poverty threshold or have household income less than the basic cost of living. The high cost of living and comparatively low wages mean that many families are just getting by. A medical emergency, major home or car repair, loss of employment or even a reduction in work hours can force a family to make difficult spending decisions, often having to choose between necessities like food, rent, or other basic needs. The disparity between the basic living costs and available income has worsened for many because of COVID-19.
Several factors have contributed to the growth in the need for food resources in Hudson. First of all, it is important to understand the role economic insecurity uniquely affects students/families who live here. When researching barriers to service at food shelves, it was discovered that many people who could benefit from a food shelf do not use a food shelf because of cultural perceptions surrounding need and food shelf usage. Many people do not see themselves as “needy enough” to use a food shelf. Moreover, clients do not want to associate themselves with cultural perceptions of the types of people who might need to visit a food shelf.
These findings are of particular interest to our program because of the economic situation in Hudson. Hudson does not have a high percentage of the population that lives in deep poverty. Rather, 27% of the families living in Hudson are considered the "working poor” (2018 ALICE report, United Way/WI). These families work full time, or more than full time, at low wage jobs and cannot cover the basic monthly cost of living here. They do not qualify for economic assistance programs, yet struggle to make ends meet. More information from ALICE can be found here: ALICE.
Our History
Hudson Area Backpack & Food Programs (HAB&FP) dates back to 2007 when a local school nurse noticed that students were coming to school on Mondays complaining of stomach aches because they lacked adequate nutrition during the weekend with little or no food available at home.
Local churches originally packed and distributed the food backpacks sent home with elementary students. As awareness of the level of need in the community changed, the program began to grow to include students at the secondary and preschool levels. A summer food program and partnership with the Raider Network stores were eventually added. With COVID-19, HAB&FP introduced drive thru food distribution and invited anyone experiencing food insecurity in Hudson and St. Croix County to participate.
Our Finances
The combined generosity of our community and foundation partners allows us to meet the needs of students/families facing economic and food insecurity in our community. Over 26% of our funding is donated directly from the Hudson community. Ninety-eight percent of our funding is used directly for programming.
Distributing food sourced from food banks and food rescue programs is a financially effective way to provide economic assistance. Utilizing excess food in our country’s food supply in this manner is a benefit not only to families needing assistance, but for the country as a whole.
Volunteer Support
All programs are implemented by dedicated volunteers from the community. The Hudson Area Backpack & Food Program is served by a 13-member volunteer board.
Board Members
Kris Knott - Chair
Kris is passionate about supporting kids and families and loves working with families and other volunteers. She has volunteered as a STRIVE youth mentor, confirmation guide, and grant writer at Operation HELP. In her roles as board chair, program coordinator and grant writer, she is involved in all aspects of our organization. Working with several area food suppliers, she strives to obtain great quality, healthy foods for families. Kris and her husband have lived in Hudson for 17 years and have 3 grown children.
Pat Kerner - Treasurer
Pat has been a part of the backpack program for 9 years. She has been the treasurer for 2 years. Pat also works closely with the St. Patrick Church Backpack Program. She was a substitute teacher in the Hudson School District for 24 years. She and her husband, Urb, have 4 grown children and have lived in Hudson for 34 years.
Sue Schaeffer - Scribe
Sue became interested in the Backpack Program after seeing its impact on children and families while being a teacher at Hudson Prairie School. After her recent retirement, she joined the board. Sue helps with board organization by maintaining meeting minutes and is always willing to lend a helping hand. She also assists with volunteer sign-ups and is an active volunteer at distribution events. Sue and her husband Mark have 3 children and 1 grandson.
Marg Wopat
Marg coordinates our church participation program and communicates with local schools and community organizations to increase awareness of our program and its services. Marg previously served as our Board Chair for many years. Marg taught at St. Patrick School for 30 years. She serves on many local non-profit boards including Operation Help, Youth Resource and the St. Croix Valley Historical Society. Marg and her husband Ben have been residents of North Hudson for over 40 years and have 3 adult children.
Jeanne Schmidt
Jeanne has been an active board member since 2014 and has filled many roles during that time. In addition to grant writing, she coordinates the Backpack Program at First Presbyterian Church.
Laura Foster
Laura, a lifelong Hudson resident, is married to husband Pete and mother to three daughters in the Hudson school district and one daughter in college. Laura is co-founder of The Raider Network and has served on several local boards and community organizations including The Phipps’s Center for the Arts (Board of Directors, Children’s Theatre Council and Dance Council), The Power of 100 Women in the St. Croix Valley, Bethel Lutheran Church, Bethel Highlands Pre-School Board, Hudson Chamber of Commerce and the Miss Hudson Committee.
Mike Hipsher
Mike is passionate about the success of the Hudson Area Backpack and Food Program. Mike is an excellent resource and brings a wealth of business knowledge to the organization as well as being a great liaison with our partners and the community.
Dee Dee Saterbak
Dee Dee has been a long-time downtown Hudson resident and loves volunteering where her skills are needed, and she has a passion for helping people. She works as an IT consultant and as a Realtor. She has been helping the Backpack Program with essential IT needs and is excited to continue improving the systems as the Backpack Program evolves. She and her husband Paul have two grown sons.
Julie Benoy
Julie started volunteering with the Hudson Backpack Program on a regular basis when the pandemic began in 2020. "I really love what this program does for our community: it provides a basic need no family should have to worry about." She has lived in the Hudson community for over 25 years with her husband where they have raised their three children. She was active with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the Hudson Sidekicks board for a number of years.
Warren Johnson
Warren is a lifelong Hudson resident. He recently retired from 3M where he worked in manufacturing/research and development. Warren loves to volunteer, spending time with organizations such as Willow River State Park and the Carpenter Nature Center, the St. Croix Valley Foodbank, and the Red Cross as a platelet donor. Warren and his wife Debra have two grown children.
Jana Lindh
Jana joined the board in 2023.
Bob McMullen
Bob joined the board in 2023.