Kohler Credit Union to Partner with Grow It Forward Food Pantry to bring Holiday Boxes and Hope

Kohler Credit Union is building on its partnership with Grow It Forward by donating $7,500 to sponsor Holiday Meal Boxes to over 125 families this Thanksgiving in Manitowoc County. This generous contribution will help bring holiday cheer with classics such as turkey, stuffing, and more. KCU staff will be rolling up their sleeves and volunteering to prepare and distribute the boxes as part of the credit union’s Here for the Holidays, Here for Life campaign. 

“At Kohler Credit Union, we believe that strengthening our community starts with supporting our neighbors,” said Kristina Wandschneider, Senior Vice President of Marketing. “Our upcoming volunteering and donation for Grow it Forward is about more than giving food, it’s about providing care and connection to families who need it most.”

The need for food assistance is growing in Eastern Wisconsin. In the 11 counties of Kohler Credit Union’s charter, 322,479 people were receiving FoodShare as of September 2025 according to the DHS reports. Over 7,000 of those recipients live in Manitowoc County. 

"With food costs up and assistance programs stretched thin, these holiday food boxes are arriving at a critical time. For the families we serve, they mean one less worry and one more reason to celebrate together.” said Amber Daugs, CEO, Grow It Forward Inc. “It’s an incredible example of what happens when a community comes together to care for its own." 

In addition to supporting Grow It Forward, the credit union has recently funded a new freezer for the Ozaukee Food Alliance, allowing them to serve more frozen foods. KCU employees volunteer year-round at the Sheboygan County Food Bank’s Food for Thought program, which provides thousands of students with food over the weekends outside of school.

Grow It Forward

Grow It Forward is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, anti-hunger organization founded in 2014. Their mission is to provide people in need with dignified access to good food, along with opportunities to grow, cook, share, and advocate for it. Learn more at www.grow-it-forward.org. 

Kohler Credit Union

For almost 100 years, Kohler Credit Union (KCU) has committed to enriching communities through building lasting relationships with our members, so they can achieve their financial dreams. As a $748 million not-for-profit financial cooperative, they are owned and governed by members. Membership is open to anyone who lives or works in Manitowoc, Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Kewaunee, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Washington, or Waukesha Counties, as well as their immediate family members and associated organizations. Learn more at kohlercu.com.