TDS

Helping Second Harvest make a difference

In Dec. 2013, Vicki Villacrez presented a check to Second  Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin on behalf of the  employees at TDS.

In Dec. 2013, Vicki Villacrez presented a check to Second
Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin on behalf of the
employees at TDS.

Hunger is a far-reaching problem and one that TDS Telecom CFO and Vice President of Finance Vicki Villacrez is determined to help solve. Using her business expertise, Vicki hopes to help Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin accomplish its mission of ending hunger in the areas the agency serves.

Vicki, one of the newest members on the Second Harvest board of directors, attended her first board meeting late last month. She says, “I’m going to learn so much, including how great the need is. And, I hope my financial knowledge and analysis skills will help the board make solid decisions such that the organization can extend the reach of the generous donations they receive.”

Second Harvest distributes food to pantries in 16 southern Wisconsin counties and serves about 141,000 people who struggle with hunger every year. Second Harvest also works with neighborhood-based organizations to operate Kids Cafés; plus, they have a mobile pantry and Outreach Program. Working with more than 225 partner agencies, Second Harvest provided 12.6 million meals last year.

“What I like most about Second Harvest is that they are determined to end hunger,” Vicki said. “They don’t start with a discussion about name, income, or age. They understand that in order to stop hunger, you must start by helping to feed those in need, helping families and the communities they live in. These are principles I admire in an organization.”

As a board member, Vicki is joined by a number of other corporate leaders from Madison and southern Wisconsin. She attends monthly meetings and spends time volunteering with the mobile food pantry, answering phones and assisting with ad hoc events. Then, next year, Vicki’s role on the board will expand to include serving as treasurer.

“I am honored to be on the board,” says Vicki. “I view it as a gift. It is a privilege to work with such caring people who go above and beyond to give to an organization that strives to fulfill the basic needs of people living in our community. And they do it with dignity and without discrimination.”

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