The Hornet Market, which opened at Parkside Middle School in Wautoma at the beginning of the school year, provided free food items, hygiene products, and many other items, to 104 individuals on Sept. 1st. By the end of September, that number rose to 288, with another increase to 290 on Oct. 12. Items at the Hornet Market are available to individuals and families at no cost to them and no income guidelines are required; however, they must be a registered family of the school district.
Tami Stansbury, who is the district’s Food Service Director and Hornet Market Coordinator, gives credit to the numerous volunteers who help organize and operate the market. “This wouldn’t be possible without them,” said Stansbury.
The Hornet Market concept developed as a result of Stansbury becoming aware of the number of students who were receiving free or reduced-cost meals in January of 2020, which was before the Covid Pandemic was identified. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced meals varied from 50% at the high school to 60% at Redgranite Elementary, with a district-wide average of 56%.
With the help of Waushara Co. Food Pantry Director Marty Lee, the Hornet Market was able to register with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, which supplies the market with numerous food and other items. And recently, East Town TV & Appliance donated two new large freezers to accommodate the frozen food items. Others in the community and school district have also donated items to the market.
Items available to students and families are perishable and non-perishable food items, hygiene items, baby items, household cleaning products, children’s underwear and socks, school supplies, and more.
The market is open to students every Thursday, from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and parents, guardians, and staff from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., except for the first Thursday of every month, which is open from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Hornet Market is also available by appointment. In addition, if a teacher is aware of a family in need, he/she can complete a referral form, which will facilitate a bag of items being sent to the specific student at his or her school.
The Hornet Market’s “wish list” donations include body wash, body soap, shampoo, conditioner, boy/girl deodorant, toilet paper, laundry soap, jelly, and taco kits. Stansbury adds that “Christmas Wish Bags” are also needed, to include white sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, chocolate chips, baking powder, baking soda and butter; a bag with hot chocolate and marshmallows; and a bag with popcorn and similar treats.
The market is located at Parkside Middle School, next to the library, in what was formerly known as Computer Lab B.
To donate items or to become a volunteer, contact Tami Stansbury at 920-787-4577, Ext. 1011 or at: stansburyt@wautoma.k12.wi.us.
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After both of the outdated freezers at the Hornet Market broke down, a volunteer contacted Greg Giebel, a co-owner of East Town TV and Appliance, to see if the business would donate a freezer. Once Giebel came to the Hornet Market at Parkside Middle School and saw the need they had for freezers, he decided that East Town would donate two 20-cubic-foot freezers, which are now filled to the brim with meat, vegetables, and other products. Pictured are Tami Stansbury, Wautoma Area School District Food Service -
This group of Hornet Market volunteers (and others not present for the photo) have been instrumental in the development and operation of the Hornet Market at Parkside Middle School in Wautoma: (back) Andrea Braatz, Julie Mesman, Tami Stansbury, Wautoma Area School District Food Service Director and Coordinator of Hornet Market, Carl Mesman, Greg Giebel, Steve Sommers, Shirley Schloesser, (front) Alysson Bowden, Diane Sommers, and Deb Rosenow. The market, which opened at the beginning of the school year, pr