During the kickoff week of the 31st Share Your Holidays campaign, Wisconsin Dells High School pantry leaders Michelle Schmitz and Tiffany Hess received the inaugural “Be Like Mike” award. The award, named for late WMTV co‑anchor Mike McKinney and Guard member Mike Hart, honors individuals who make a significant impact on their community.
The Market pantry serves students and families
The Market, the school’s food pantry, operates four days a week for students and two evenings a week for their families. Since its partnership with Second Harvest Foodbank began in 2018, the pantry has distributed more than 1.4 million pounds of food.
Schmitz and Hess lead a team of community and student volunteers who keep the pantry running. “It really is a very cool thing,” Schmitz said. “Some of the volunteers, they might shop, their families come in. It really is a really nice culture that we’ve built here around service and volunteering.”
Hess added, “I love it. I think it sets them up for understanding volunteers are needed and they can play a role throughout their adulthood, just volunteering in whatever way that their passion leads them.”
Volunteer‑driven, stigma‑free service
Hess, who now spends one to three days a week at The Market and handles ordering five days a week, began as a shopper. “I started out as a shopper and saw what a great opportunity it was, and how they were making it not have a stigma for the students,” she explained. The pantry’s mission is to reduce the stigma of needing assistance. “We don’t talk about it officially. It is for everybody,” Schmitz said, noting that staff use language focused on what a person can use rather than what a person needs.
Students can stop by for snacks before the bus or practice, or they can shop for their families. “They can sign in and grab a bag and they can take home milk, eggs, chicken, whatever produce they want,” Schmitz said.
Growing demand amid economic changes
The Market has seen increased demand this year, with more staff and teachers volunteering. “Because of the change in the economy, I think that’s where we did start to see more the staff and teachers, at least for me personally, when I volunteer,” Hess noted. This broader involvement helps students feel comfortable seeking assistance.
A labor of love recognized
Leigh Mills presented the award, saying, “It is my honor to present you both and the market with our Be Like Mike award for the huge impact you are making.” Schmitz modestly replied, “We don’t need validation. Like, we don’t need recognition, but it sure never hurts to know you’re making an impact.” Hess echoed the sentiment, thanking volunteers for their dedication.
“Food brings people together, right?” Schmitz said. “And it’s, however we can help take a little burden off or help everybody feel like it’s for them, that’s what we’re all about.” The award highlights how a simple, volunteer‑driven pantry can foster community, reduce hardship, and teach lifelong values of service.
The Share Your Holidays campaign will continue for five more weeks, concluding with a finale on Dec. 16. A second “Be Like Mike” award will be presented in a few weeks by Mark Charter.
Original reporting: NBC15 WMTV (Gray) – local — read the source article.
