What started in 1993 as The Salvation Army’s Brown Bag Program has grown into Fond du Lac’s oldest free summer lunch initiative - serving children and their families every June through August for more than 30 years.

The program began as a response to the tough choices parents faced when school meals were unavailable in summer. Today, with rising costs and inflation, the need is greater than ever. What hasn’t changed is our commitment to providing nutritious, worry-free meals.

Even during the pandemic, our dedicated volunteers and community partners - including the FDL Children’s Museum, Public Library, Boys & Girls Club, our food pantry, and thrift store - helped keep lunches available. In 2021, Holy Family Parish joined the effort, adopting the Tuesday meal distribution. In 2024, the program proudly adopted its new name: Summer Bites.

Each meal includes:

• A peanut butter or meat sandwich
• Chips or snack
• Fresh fruit or vegetable
• Dessert item
• Beverage

Dedicated to Theresa, Ethel, and Jeff

This year's Brown Bag Lunch Program carries the love and is dedicated in memory of:

Ethel Lohse, a wonderful heart who believed in nourishing families and children - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Supporting the Brown Bag Lunch Program was dear to Ethel's heart.

Jeff Faris shared his popcorn with the program to extend love and support on behalf of his family and the business.

Theresa Tousey lovingly gave her time to The Salvation Army, and the community she was born & raised in for 16 years. Summer Brown Bag Lunch Program was her "jam," and her willingness to pitch in when and however needed is dearly missed.

2024 Sponsors: 

• A&W Fond du Lac
• Faris Gourmet Popcorn & Treats
• Eaton's Fresh Pizza & Deli
• Kwik Trip

How to Help:

• Contribute ingredients:
  • Individual fruit cups
  • Juice boxes
  • Cookies
  • Fruit snacks
• Monetary donations: Donate online
• Volunteer with us
• To host a Brown Bag Lunch collection on our behalf, please email FDLSAinfo@usc.salvationarmy.org

More History

Claudette DeGarmo (Auman) was the Salvation Army Caseworker Fond du Lac parents in distress came to for help.

“It broke my heart knowing kids and parents didn’t enjoy summer because the family food budget didn’t stretch far enough,” DeGarmo recalls. “Kids were going hungry. Major Moore (The Salvation Army FdL Officer at the time) encouraged me to create a solution, reiterating the philosophy The Salvation Army is built on, “When we see a problem, we have to find a way to address it.”

Brown Bag Lunch launched in 1993 and distributed 2,600 free cold lunches that first year. Then as now, each lunch contains a peanut butter or meat sandwich, fruit, chips/snack, and a beverage.

Each subsequent summer, the program increased. When Claudette moved on to different employment in 1997, the Brown Bag Lunch program was firmly rooted within The Salvation Army and the community.

In 2007, Barb Thill brought 33 years of work experience at Sentry Foods and her boundless energy with her when she first volunteered as the Brown Bag Lunch coordinator.  In 2017, a staggering 17,519 lunches were packed and distributed. The program earned recognition from State Senator Dan Feyen in 2019. This annual mammoth undertaking succeeds because of community volunteers and donations.  In 2021, Holy Family Catholic began working with the Brown Bag Lunch Program, packing and distributing the Tuesday lunches, renaming that portion of the program Summer Bites in 2024, and expanding the locations.