Celebrating Women’s History Month:

Women’s Impact at Sunshine Place

This Women’s History Month, we wanted to take a moment to recognize all of the amazing women who have made Sunshine Place into the robust community resource hub it is today, and to thank all of the women making history right now, by working and volunteering their time to keep Sunshine Place programs strong. 

Women in Sunshine Place’s History

Sunshine Place itself– and many of our programs – came about because a woman in our community saw a need, pulled her friends on board, and took action. Here is a brief look at some of the ways women have been a part of Sunshine Place’s history, and have been a crucial part of building us into who we are today.

When Beth Mielcarek visited the local pantry back in 1997 with her son’s Scout troop, she saw that it could use support. She and her husband gathered five other families with family foundations, and set out to do just that. After talking to others in the community and visiting existing pantries, they decided that an improved pantry program was not enough. They saw the value in a “one-stop-shop” where families could address multiple needs at once.

Many of the Sunshine Place programs we have now, also came from women in our community volunteering their time and energy to support their neighbors.

(*Click program names to learn more about a particular program):

• Sunshine Supper: Julie Wiedmeyer founded Sunshine Supper as part of a grad school project, and after 16 years it has grown to serve over 2 thousand meals a month! Julie continues to be heavily involved as the lead Sunshine Supper volunteer.
  
  

• The Bed Lady: Lisa Wilkins asked her children’s school social worker how she could help, and beds for kids to sleep on were a big need. Lisa not only provided beds and bedding for the children who needed them right away, she started The Bed Lady program to ensure local children in need of beds would always have a place to get them. Lisa led the program for many years before leaving it in the capable hands of new volunteers (also women). Last year alone, The Bed Lady program provided over 145 beds to children.
  
  

• KiDs Closet (formerly C.A.R.D.S. Closet): In 2010, Denise Wagner’s 12-year-old son, Sam, talked to her about a school project where they were asked how one person could make a difference. Together, they came up with KiDs Closet. Sam brought a friend on board, Seamus, and his mother, Kathleen O’Shea. The program quickly grew from a small collection of clothing in their homes, to the full program it is today, serving over 680 students across the Sun Prairie and Marshall School Districts last year. This effort was child-led, and the program continues that tradition now, with the involvement of our KiDs Closet Youth Board. But Denise and Kathleen were an integral part of the program’s success, taking key roles and remaining involved long after their sons were grown.

• Stuff the Bus: Deb Krebs, Bank of Sun Prairie, and Janelle Vreugdenhil, Joining Forces for Families (an onsite organization), helped found and build this program, seeing the need for students to have the necessary materials to start school confident and prepared. They continue to be involved today. Last year, thanks to their efforts, 2,000 children were provided backpacks and school supplies.
  
  

• Sunshine Legal Clinic: Local lawyers Kathleen Curran and Alicia Armstrong were two of this program’s three founders, who saw a need for free legal advice. Today, two women, Rita Lord, and Rita Knauss, are the volunteer leads for Sunshine Legal Clinic, which served over 110 clients last year.

This is only a snapshot of some of the women who have been a part of Sunshine Place’s history. Today, the tradition of strong women making a difference through Sunshine Place continues. All but one of our Sunshine Place staff members are women, including our Executive Director. Women make up around 80 percent of our pantry program volunteers, and over 90 percent of volunteers for our other programs combined. We are so grateful for each and every woman who has stepped up to make a difference, and to make history in our community through Sunshine Place. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU.

Black Sapphire Tattoo Shop Pantry Drive

Black Sapphire Tattoo in Madison is hosting a donation drive for the Sunshine Pantry program through the end of the month of March, with some fun perks! 5 non-perishable pantry donations to their store = 1 spin on their gumball machine to win discounts. Every spin wins a prize of $10, $25, $50, or even $100 off of a tattoo or piercing. No appointment needed, just stop in with your donations and try your luck. Discounts are good even once the drive has ended!
(Shout out to this lovely Black Sapphire Tattoo customer, who brought in donations and was such a good sport about having her photo taken)!

Program Story Highlight

"I've worked at Sunshine Place for almost 4 years, and one of the things I love about coming here is the community feeling amongst our staff, volunteers, and clients. Today we had an elderly woman shopping in the pantry who has some physical limitations. She's a regular who comes in every two weeks because her various benefits don't cover all of her expenses, and the pantry helps her stretch her budget to pay rent, medical needs, etc.

We are currently giving away Dove body care products, and after a generous donation from The Boys and Girls Club, we have so many that we're offering them to our pantry shoppers by the case. She wanted a case of each product, but couldn't lift the boxes, so she only took one bottle of each. Another client who was behind her saw her struggle with the boxes. After she checked out and was waiting for her ride, that client went back, grabbed two boxes for her, and put them in her cart without her asking. I don't think they had ever spoken before. He didn't ask for a thank you, just helped her get what she needed and went on his way. That feeling of community fills every corner of this place!"

-  Sunshine Place staff

Are you a Sunshine Place client, volunteer, or donor with a story to share? Send your stories to socialmedia@sunshineplace.org or, fill out our online story form. All stories stay anonymous unless otherwise requested by a client.

Donations Needed for Prom Dress Pop-Up!

There is still time to donate your new or gently used prom dresses, shoes, and accessories for our second annual Prom Pop-Up event! Last year we were able to help 20 Sun Prairie students find what they needed to feel ready and confident for prom. This year we are excited to open this opportunity up to students in all of Dane County. See the flyer below to learn more!

KiDs Closet Needs

Sunshine Place's KiDs Closet program (formerly C.A.R.D.S. Closet) provides referred families with a FREE, private, dignified, 30-minute shopping appointment for their children, 4 times a year.

KiDs Closet is now collecting spring clothing, BUT we will also continue to collect winter gear year-round, in an effort to be well-prepared for the season. ALL donated items should be gently used/like new.

As we wind down from this past winter, keep an eye out for school-age winter gear on sale, or donate your children's gear they have outgrown to help us stock up for next year! Donate now, OR get your donations together and save the date for April 12th, when our KiDs Closet youth board will come right to your house to pick up your donations.

Registration required by April 6th. See flyer below for details. 

(All donations can be dropped off inside the KiDs Closet donation bin at 1632 W. Main St., open Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM) 

Click here to learn more about KiDs Closet or click the button below and choose "KiDs Closet" from the donation options drop-down to donate funds directly to the program.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

We are so grateful to the groups, businesses, and individuals who have recently volunteered, donated, and organized drives or events to support our mission. Sunshine Place programs are possible thanks to our community’s generosity and commitment to helping one another.

Below are just a few photo highlights showcasing recent support. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see more stories of impact and kindness.

A record number of families and individuals are turning to us for help with food, housing, and other essential needs. Your support ensures our neighbors can find hope and help at Sunshine Place when they need it most. Thank you!