WEST BEND, WI (August 15, 2022) – West Bend Mutual Insurance Company, along with
independent insurance agents who represent the company, key business partners, friends, and
associates, raised over $500,000 for America’s food banks.
Donations were raised at an August 8 event the company hosted at the West Bend Country
Club and West Bend’s Prairie Center facility. The inaugural Silver Lining Classic event is the ninth
such biennial fundraising event West Bend’s hosted through the years. Of the money raised, $250,000 will go directly to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, and the remaining funds will be distributed to other food banks throughout the Midwest and beyond to fight hunger.
West Bend’s President and CEO Kevin Steiner again directed the occasion. “We’re so glad
to be back together in the best way possible. I’m grateful to our agents and everyone who came out
and generously donated to this wonderful cause that makes a difference to so many families,” Kevin
said. “The need is particularly great right now, and our goal was to raise $250,000. I’m pleased to
announce we doubled that and raised over $500,000!”
“I’m a strong supporter of this mission,” stated Rob Jacques, senior vice president –
Commercial at West Bend. “And as a member on the board for Feeding America Eastern
Wisconsin, I’m glad this year’s event was so successful. It affirms that our agencies and partners
understand the importance of the work being done by this organization and others and are willing to
respond to help those in greatest need.”
“West Bend has supported our hunger relief work for many years, and this year more than
ever. We are thrilled to accept such a sizeable donation that will be able to provide a million meals to
local families facing hunger,” said Patti Habeck, president and CEO of Feeding America Eastern
Wisconsin, a local food bank receiving a portion of the funds. “I’m thankful to the attendees for
their amazing generosity and their help addressing the critical issue of hunger in our
neighborhoods.”
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is the leading hunger relief organization in the state
with locations in Milwaukee and the Fox Valley. Founded in 1982 by the Rotary Club of Milwaukee,
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is a local and independent member of the Feeding America
network. Driven by our mission to solve hunger and our vision of a hunger-free Wisconsin, we are
bringing more people together around the table to collaboratively address the root causes of hunger. Together with our 400+ partner pantries and meal sites, we serve nearly 500,000 people across 35 counties in eastern Wisconsin each year.
In addition to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, West Bend is proud to sustain its 2022
charitable giving through the West Bend Mutual Insurance Charitable Trust and the Independent
Agents’ Fund. Grants were made to organizations that include MACC Fund, Arbor Day
Foundation, the United Performing Arts Fund, and the American Heart Association.