WMTV’s 30th annual Share Your Holidays Campaign surpassed its goal of raising $1.5 million for Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. The final total raised was $1,737,236. The campaign also collected and sorted 83,000 pounds of food, more than double the amount from last year.
Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, which helps families and individuals facing food insecurities in 16 southern Wisconsin counties. The non-profit distributes food to 200 partner agencies and programs, including food pantries in local schools.
“We are simply overwhelmed by the continued generosity of our communities,” said WMTV Regional VP/GM Don Vesely. “Thanks to our viewers, community partners, and Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, our 30th Share Your Holidays campaign was a tremendous success. Because of this support, area families, children, and seniors will have the chance to nourish and thrive. Our team could not have done it without you.”
The 2025 campaign started with a barrel rollout on Nov. 3 and ended on Dec. 10 with a phone-a-thon/sort-a-thon. This year’s theme was “The Power of One.” One family, one business, one school, one organization, one person – all coming together to make a difference in our local communities.
“For 30 years, the WMTV Share Your Holidays campaign has proven the power of one person, one gift, and one community—and this year was no exception,” said Michelle Orge, Second Harvest Foodbank President and Executive Director. “At a time when the need required the community to step up its support of those facing hunger, that challenge was exceeded. We are so grateful to WMTV, the campaign sponsors, volunteers, and individual donors for making this year’s success a reality.”
WMTV’s late anchor, Mike McKinney, had a personal mission to eliminate hunger and founded the WMTV Share Your Holidays campaign outside of a Madison grocery store—collecting donations in the parking lot on a single day. That year, more than 50,000 meals were raised. Now, we’re proud to say that since its inception, the campaign has raised more than 77 million meals.
