Shopko Foundation looks forward

With Shopko filing for bankruptcy protection this week and announcing the closing of more stores, many are wondering about the impact on the company's local charitable giving.

At the Green Bay East Shopko Friday, a check presentation from the Shopko Foundation to the Brown County Crime Prevention Foundation for $2,000.

It's money raised at Green Bay stores in October through customer donations, and it's money the recipients say will impact the community.

"Every dollar spent on crime prevention saves $10 in incarceration, so to get to these kids early through reading programs, bullying benches, weapons take back as other agencies have done, numerous speed enforcement or just getting DARE programs, anything we can get involved in with crime prevention saves in the long run," says Jedd Bradley, De Pere Police Community Resource Officer.

In 2018, the Shopko Foundation awarded more than $350,000 in grants and donations to community organizations in Green Bay and the Fox Valley.

In light of the retailer's Chapter 11 filing, Shopko says in a a statement, "The Shopko Foundation is a separate entity and will continue to support healthy lifestyles and educational opportunities within our communities."

While Shopko admits uncertainty around the Shopko Golf Classic, its largest annual fundraiser, there's a sense of relief its foundation is pledging to remain committed to investing in causes in the community.

"Absolutely, couldn't do it without them," says Bradley.

More than 20 local organizations and schools received charitable donations from Shopko in 2018.