For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Feeding Our Communities with United Services (FOCUS) is launching its community campaign to raise $250,000 to obtain the funds needed to complete its relocation project and build needed operating funds.

FOCUS is leasing and renovating part of the facility located at 2321 West Grand Avenue in Wisconsin Rapids. This new facility will bring several services under one roof, allowing clients, volunteers, and donors to have one location, saving time and overhead costs.  The location will have a commercial kitchen, a dining area, and dedicated unloading and food storage areas.

FOCUS was formed in 2020 when three local nonprofits merged to better combat food insecurity in the South Wood County area of Wisconsin.  The South Wood Emerging Pantry Shelf, The Neighborhood Table and Rapids Family Backpacks will now be operating within one centralized location.

“This will allow FOCUS to provide services such as warm meals and monthly food allotments more efficiently to community members in need while also offering convenience to the many volunteers who believe in the needed services FOCUS provides to our community.  With the additional space, FOCUS can better combat food insecurity and collaboratively develop additional related services in the South Wood County area,” a FOCUS release stated.

“Recently, Connexus Credit Union’s philanthropic program, Connexus Cares, announced a dollar-for-dollar match of donations up to $125,000 for the FOCUS community capital campaign.”

Tax deductible donations may be made to: FOCUS on the Future, 2511 Eighth Street South, No. 242, Wisconsin Rapids, WI, 54494, or at www.FOCUSofSWC.org.

“Every dollar donated is a valuable investment in our community, combating food insecurity and assisting so many across the South Wood County area,” the release added.