Decorah Middle School Donates $6,250 to Local Food Pantry Through Biennial Fundraiser

The fire, the vote, the triumph — when it happens, Decorah News shows up. Support us being there. Decorah Middle School proudly presented a $6,250 donation to the local food pantry on Wednesday, Feb. 4, continuing its commitment to supporting the community while building a positive school climate. Mr. Kuempel and members of the DMS Defenders delivered the check in person and had the opportunity to learn more about the food pantry's mission and its impact on families throughout the area. The donation was made possible through DMS's biennial discount card fundraiser, in which students and families sold fundraising cards to support school initiatives. While the fundraiser helps fund activities and opportunities that strengthen school culture, a portion of the proceeds is intentionally set aside to support the local food pantry. "By organizing one fundraiser with two meaningful outcomes, we are able to strengthen our school community while also giving back to those in need," Principal Justin Albers said. "It's important for our students to see how their efforts can make a real difference." This year's donation builds on past success. Two years ago, DMS donated nearly $5,000 to the food pantry solely from discount card sales—making this year's contribution the largest yet. Decorah Middle School extended its gratitude to students, families and community members who supported the fundraiser and helped make the donation possible. Get the inside scoop! Subscribe to the free DecorahNews.com newsletter and receive local news, expert analysis, and stories that matter most—straight to your inbox.