Happy Dairy Month! This month at Badgerland, we are reflecting and recognizing our partnership with the Dane County Dairy Promotion Committee and Badgerland Girls Scouts’ efforts to make sure milk and Girl Scout Cookies are accessible to everyone.

Through the partnership, a troop gives their ‘Cookie Share’ to a Dane County Food Pantry, and the Dairy Promotion Committee matches each box donated with a gallon of milk, up to $8,000 worth. Girl Scouts rose to the challenge, donating more than 6,000 boxes to 22 different local food pantries.

Nearly 3,500 gallons of milk (wow!) will be distributed by Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin to the food pantries in proportion to boxes donated throughout the month of June.

‘Cookie Share’ is a philanthropy-based initiative through which girls can make a positive impact in their communities. During the Cookie Program (which ran Feb. 9 through March 17), customers could purchase a box of cookies and, instead of receiving them, give the cookies back to the troop for them to donate to a charity of their choosing. In this case – food pantries.

“The partnership just makes sense,” said Dairy Promotion Committee Chair John Haag. “Girl Scouts are known for doing good deeds in their communities, and this just goes to show they’re committed to that. Together, we’re bringing protein-rich milk and delicious cookies to those in need.”

The partnership formed three years ago and since then, has provided 17,567 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies and 10,342 gallons of milk to families in need!

“While the Girl Scout Cookie Program helps girls work on their goal setting and money management skills, they’re also actively making their community a better place with their Cookie Share,” said Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Badgerland Council CEO Marci Henderson. “By matching the girls’ donations with a gallon of milk, the Dairy Promotion Committee is reinforcing the girls’ understanding of working together for the greater good.”

The Dairy Promotion Committee also hosts several events during June Dairy Month, including Cows on the Concourse and Breakfast on the Farm, which is scheduled for this Saturday, June 8 in Brooklyn. Girl Scout troops attend both of these events to showcase the partnership and share how the Cookie Program fuels leadership experiences for girls, such as camping, traveling, community service and educational programming.

Thanks to the Dane Dairy Promotion Committee and participating Girl Scouts for another successful year of Milk & Cookies! We can’t wait to see what we accomplish next year.