Madison, WI, July 7, 2026 – To support the 147,000 people facing hunger in southwestern Wisconsin, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, a group of athletes, coaches, and staff from the University of Wisconsin football team labeled over 3,600 cans of corn at Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. 21 student-athletes, coaches, and staff volunteered at the nonprofit as part of the Badgers Give Back initiative. 2026 marks the second year that Badger football players have partnered with Second Harvest during Badgers Give Back.

“The incredible student-athletes and coaches that volunteered with us proved that when we work together, in just a short amount of time, we can make a long-lasting impact in our community,” said Michelle Orge, president and executive director of Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. “As a result of their efforts, we can now distribute those cans of corn to families right here in southwestern Wisconsin through our network of food pantries.”

“It’s just really important for us to get out there and go do something that’s bigger than ourselves,” said Safeties Coach Jack Cooper. “Knowing that the next step for this food that they’re labeling is really the pantries and families in the community makes me feel good.”

Each year, Second Harvest relies on the generosity of individuals and groups, like the one from the University of Wisconsin, to volunteer their time in support of the community. Annually, volunteers do 20% of all the work done on behalf of Second Harvest. To find out more about volunteering at Second Harvest, visit SecondHarvestSW.org/Volunteer.

Pictures from the event can be downloaded at: https://www.secondharvestsw.org/badgers-give-back-2026/.

About Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin
Since 1986, Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin has been working with local hunger-relief agencies in 16 southwestern Wisconsin counties. Through food distribution, promotion of outside food assistance programs, partnerships with healthcare providers and insurers, and raising awareness of hunger, we are making our vision of everyone in our community having enough nutritious food to thrive a reality. We are the largest hunger relief organization in southwestern Wisconsin, providing tens of millions of meals each year to those who need them. Every day, we prove that lives can be changed with food! For more information, visit SecondHarvestSW.org.