Prairie Lakes Earns "Top Supporter" Recognition During 2023 Back PACH Food Drive

Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Watertown PACH Board Members Gather with PLHS Ambassadors & Leadership to Receive the "Largest Large Business Supporter" Plaque
Watertown PACH Board Members Gather with PLHS Ambassadors & Leadership to Receive the "Largest Large Business Supporter" Plaque

Recently, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) employees participated in the 2023 "Back PACH" Food Drive. Due to the overwhelming generosity of our team, we earned the "Largest Large Business Supporter" by collecting the most donations during the one-week event. In addition, we had several Prairie Lakes Ambassadors stationed at area grocery stores to collect food donations from the community. 

The Back PACH Food Drive uses a point system in order to determine the winner in each business category (small, large, or non-profit). Each donated item was worth 1-3 points. In total PLHS/Sodexo gathered:

  • $165 in cash donations
  • 28 jars of Peanut Butter 
  • 26 cans of Tomato Soup 
  • 35 cans of Chicken Noodle Soup 
  • 28 cans of Ravioli/Spaghetti O’s 
  • 28 cans of Tuna 
  • 19 cans of Green Beans 
  • 14 cans of Corn 
  • 11 packages of Cheese/PB Snack Crackers 
  • 5 boxes of Granola Bars 
  • 28 packages of Pudding Cups
  • 20 packages of Fruit Cups 
  • 5 packages of Applesauce Cups

In total, Watertown PACH received 10,409 food items and $6,620 in cash donations. The largest donation drive in recent history - more than triple what was gathered last year!

The Watertown Area PACH Program is dedicated to ensuring that local school children will receive a nutritious weekend PACH (pronounced pack) that includes breakfast, a morning snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack for each day of the weekend. The current menu includes 14 food items - 2 breakfast meals, 2 lunch/supper meals, an 4 snacks. During the current 2023-2024 school year, PACH is averaging 572 "PACH's" each week, up from 521 last year. 

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System strives to make a positive impact on the Watertown community and surrounding areas in giving back to those around us that are in need.