WASHBURN COUNTY -- On April 1, 2025, Community First Washburn County Inc. (CFWC) held a Community Stakeholders Summit in the Washburn County Board Room. CFWC President Aaron Marcoux reported that “the summit was attended by 38 community leaders from 26 different organizations.” Bryanna Green from Lakeland Family Resource Center stated “I cannot express how impactful it was to see the community come together and hopefully be able to put some plans into action.”
This Community Stakeholder Summit centered around five (5) previously identified issues of concern facing Washburn County. Attendees participated in round-table discussions about Food Insecurities, Transportation, Housing, and Community Moral. A fifth table discussed “Other Issues Not Previously Identified” allowing all citizens and organizations to bring forth their heartfelt concerns for discussion. This format allowed those involved to openly brainstorm on the importance, effect and next steps regarding each of these issues from the participants/organizations unique perspective and experience.
This is actually the second Community Summit facilitated by CFWC. The first summit brought together various community leaders to discuss food insecurities at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Food Insecurity Summit created enduring relationships and meaningful impacts, particularly through a partnership with Feed My People of Eau Claire. This collaborative effort led to the creation of Spooner Library's Books & Bread and Compassion Kitchen programs as well as Lakeland Family Resource Center's well utilized pop-up pantry.
Providing a historical perspective of CFWC, Chet Hurt from Washburn County HHS Prevention stated that through initial Community First efforts, “More than $45,000 was raised, which provided food to Washburn County’s elderly and otherwise vulnerable populations, volunteers were organized to distribute resources from federal, state, and local food programs. In carrying out these initiatives volunteers drove a distance equal to a trip from Washburn County to Tokyo, Japan and back.” The drive time and travel costs were all donated.
Also as a result of the summit, CFWC received several grants forming WashCo Grows. “WashCo Grows currently has 21 raised garden beds across Washburn County where fresh produce is harvested and donated to food banks or citizens can walk past and pick some for themselves” said Shannon Anderson, CFWC Secretary and WashCo Grows Director.
Speaking of the passion and momentum felt at the summit, Angie Bodzislaw from the Spooner Library stated, “It was great to witness the community building and conversation that took place at the summit.” Our communities thrive when everyone’s voice and engagement are welcomed and valued. At its core, civic engagement is people coming together to improve their community’s quality of life. From organizing volunteer activities to identifying critical needs, engaged communities are crucial in shaping a better future.
CFWC’s mission is to “together, identify and address current and future needs in Washburn County in order to build a stronger, healthier and more resilient community.” For more information on becoming involved in Community First Washburn County, please follow us on Facebook at @Community1stWC, email aaron.marcoux@gmail.com and/or contact Angie at the Spooner Public Library at 421 High Street in Spooner, WI or call 715-635-2792.
Last Update: Apr 03, 2025 11:02 am CDT
