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History

It began with a wagon and a will to help others.

The Bridge Food & Diaper Bank was founded in 2009 as the Walworth County Food Pantry. It began with a local group of Boy Scouts pulling their wagons and collecting food for people in need. Passionate volunteers like Frank Guske Jr. and Sal Dimiceli were instrumental. Our first location was on County Road H in Lake Geneva. We moved into our current facility in 2014. The pantry provided for our community through volunteer work led by the tireless efforts of Jim and Ardith Drescher. In 2017, Susan and John Hughes took over the operations and began great work to expand offerings, enter strategic partnerships, and coordinate with other pantries in the area to increase buying power. Memberships were established with the National Diaper Bank Network and the Alliance for Period Supplies, and the name was changed to the Walworth County Food & Diaper Bank.


Together, we are building a bridge to a better tomorrow for our Walworth County neighbors.


On March 1, 2025, the Walworth County Food & Diaper Bank, in accordance with its strategic plan, changed its name to The Bridge Food & Diaper Bank. The Bridge name aligns with our vision and mission while eliminating the misunderstanding we are affiliated with county government. The Bridge serves those who need help, and those who want to help, building a bridge of strength in our community.


 At The Bridge Food & Diaper Bank, we believe that:

  • Together we can solve hunger.
  • All people deserve to be treated with dignity and compassion.
  • Collaboration with partners throughout our community leads to innovative solutions.


Through partnerships with local and national resources, and careful procurement procedures, we are able to purchase food, milk, diapers, incontinence products, and period supplies at significant discounts.


Today The Bridge Food and Diaper Bank owns our 10,000 square foot building, commercial freezers and coolers, warehouse equipment, two box trucks, and employs a small staff to sustain our mission and service to the community.


Through it all, our operations have been mainly powered by volunteers and funded by the generosity of private donations and grants.

Board of Directors

Jennifer Myers

Jennifer Myers

Jennifer Myers

 Board Chair

Director of Marketing

Kunes Auto Group

Karen Stoneman

Jennifer Myers

Jennifer Myers

Board Vice Chair

Retired HR executive with global human resource and non-profit Board leadership experience

Paul Schmelzer

Jennifer Myers

Paul Schmelzer

Board Corporate Secretary

Award-winning Author with 15 historic novels in print

Peter Wautlet

Peter Wautlet

Paul Schmelzer

Board Treasurer

CPA / Partner

Baker Tilly

Taylor Smith

Peter Wautlet

Dominic Sergi

Board Member, Past Chair

President

Suite 200 Solutions

Dominic Sergi

Peter Wautlet

Dominic Sergi

Board Member

President

NDS Foundation

Mark Reno

Mary Ann Moller-Gunderson

Mary Ann Moller-Gunderson

Board Member

Retired from a 47-year business and technical career in the refining and petrochemical industry, active with the Walworth County Literacy Council, Geneva Lake Museum and Friends of Lake Geneva Library

Mary Ann Moller-Gunderson

Mary Ann Moller-Gunderson

Mary Ann Moller-Gunderson

Board Member

Former ordained Lutheran Pastor in Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin

Penny Hallett

Mary Ann Moller-Gunderson

Penny Hallett

Board Member

Member, Geneva Lake Women's Association

WCFDB Volunteer since 2011

Staff

Tammy Dunn

Elizabeth Russell-Jones

Elizabeth Russell-Jones

Executive Director

Elizabeth Russell-Jones

Elizabeth Russell-Jones

Elizabeth Russell-Jones

Development Director

Jill Jensen

Elizabeth Russell-Jones

Carl Gustafson

Volunteer & Community Specialist

Carl Gustafson

Elizabeth Russell-Jones

Carl Gustafson

Operations Manager

Services

Food

Period Supplies

Diapers

Our partnerships with Feeding America and the Hunger Task Force allow us to purchase food at pennies on the dollar, including fresh produce, dairy products, and frozen meats, in addition to non-perishable foods.


Our goal is to be able to provide 10-14 days of groceries for our guests.


No food pantry is designed to be the sole source of food for their guests, but we hope that our services can go a long way, and give our guests some relief, allowing their finances to stretch and cover other essential bills.

Diapers

Period Supplies

Diapers

We are a member of The National Diaper Bank Network. Disposable diapers are not a luxury, they are a necessity. Many times, a parent can't drop their child off at day care to go to work because they don't have enough diapers to meet the requirements.


In addition to diapers for infants and toddlers, we offer incontinence products for adults.


Diapers are sourced from local organizations holding diaper drives throughout the year and are also purchased at a discount through the National Diaper Bank Network sponsors, Huggies, Medline and Cuties. 

 

Period Supplies

Period Supplies

Older Adult Support

1 in 3 low-income women report missing school, work, or similar events due to lack of access to period supplies.  As a member of the Alliance for Period Supplies, we are able to purchase products at a discounted price.


Period supplies are a necessary part of life and present one more expense for those in poverty or those struggling paycheck to paycheck.

Older Adult Support

Older Adult Support

Older Adult Support

Through the Hunger Task Force, we are able to offer qualifying adults over 60 years of age an additional box of nutritional food each month, called a Stockbox. 


We also provide variety of toiletries and household products monthly which we refer to as our CARE bags. CARE is an acronym for Caring for the Aging and Retired Elderly.

Strategic Partners

Older Adult Support

Strategic Partners

Hunger Task Force

Feeding America

National Diaper Bank Network

Alliance for Period Supplies

The Federal Emergency Assistance Program

Second Harvest Foodbank
Lake Geneva Country Meats
Pearce's Farm Stand
Simple Bakery & Market
Stinebrink's Piggly Wiggly
Aldi
Walmart
V. Marchese
Kwik Trip


The Bridge Food & Diaper Bank

205 E. Commerce Ct. Elkhorn, WI 53121

262-723-4488

Serving Walworth County, WI Since 2009


Copyright © 2025 The Bridge Food & Diaper Bank - All Rights Reserved.

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