Supporting our neighbors after flooding in Northeast Wisconsin

When recent heavy rains caused severe flooding across parts of Northeast Wisconsin, several communities faced rapid changes and urgent challenges. Roads were closed, homes were impacted, and in the town of Shiocton, residents were temporarily forced to evacuate as floodwaters rose throughout the area.

As response efforts took shape, our local teams moved quickly, in coordination with the Meijer Community Giving team, to provide donations of essential items for displaced families and first responders.

"These communities were dealing with a lot of uncertainty in a very short period of time," said Derek Sanderson, store director at Grand Chute, about 20 miles from Shiocton. "Our goal was to provide practical support as quickly as we could."

The donated supplies included laundry detergent, dish soap, shelf-stable food items such as oatmeal and macaroni and cheese, along with cleanup and recovery tools like shop towels, disinfectant wipes, brooms, dustpans, and deck brushes.

With Shiocton evacuated at the time of the donation, we worked closely with the Black Creek Fire Department, which served as the designated drop-off location for the supplies. The fire department helped ensure the donated items could be distributed where they were needed most across the affected areas.

"This was a great example of how quickly teams can come together when a community needs support," Derek said.

As floodwaters recede and residents are cleared to return to their homes, recovery efforts continue across Northeast Wisconsin. Whether responding to flooding, severe weather, or other emergencies, our mission remains the same: being there for our neighbors when it matters most, to enrich lives in the communities we serve.