WSAW-WZAW Help Raise Enough Funds For 300,000 Meals

WSAW-WZAW, Gray’s CBS and Fox affiliates in Wausau, Wis. (DMA 134), raised more than $104,000 during a 10-day campaign for The Neighbors’ Place, the area’s  largest food bank.

The campaign kicked off on Saturday, April 18, with a one-hour televised special, Singing for their Supper. The special featured virtual performances by country stars and singer-songwriters.

Throughout the event, WSAW highlighted the importance of supporting local food pantries. Viewers were encouraged to donate to The Neighbors’ Place. Over $22,000 was raised as the special concluded.

More than 50 Gray Television stations aired the special, raising more than $1,026,000 nationally. The donations from viewers, performers and Gray Television and its stations for exceeded the initial goal and will help provide more than four million meals to those in need.

Due to north central Wisconsin’s overwhelming response, WSAW-WZAW extended the campaign through Monday, April 28. Viewers were encouraged to continue making donations to The Neighbors’ Place online or, at IncredibleBank drive-thru locations. That push added an additional $82,000.

“In these unprecedented times, it is always comforting to know that our viewers care and try to make things better for those in need,” said Al Lancaster, WSAW-WZAW’s general manager. “We live in a very special place.”

“Thank you to everyone who donated to make this campaign such a success,” said Bridget Fargen, WSAW-WZAW’s news director.

“Helping and serving our community is what being a local broadcaster is all about. I am so proud to work with great people at WSAW and live in such a generous community. The money we raised will help feed a lot of people in Marathon County.”

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