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SNAP recipients in Wisconsin by Sunday should been been seeing money on their debit cards, which were reportedly loaded on Friday. Gov. Tony Evers, responding to orders on Thursday from two federal judges who said the Trump administration must fund the program that feeds 1 in 8 Americans, ordered that Wisconsin’s payments, known in the state as FoodShare, be sent through. The federal government normally reimburses states for that.

The U.S. Supreme Court subsequently, late Friday, sided with the president, temporarily allowing SNAP payments to remain paused. The president on Sunday said states, including Wisconsin, that paid out benefits on Friday must now “undo” them. Ever responded “no.”

Meanwhile, Milton students, school staff and other community volunteers mobilized Saturday and Sunday to support Milton families caught in the SNAP crosshairs.

This weekend’s “Milton Meals Matter,” was coordinated by Milton High School student service groups, athletic teams, and staff.

“The Milton Food Pantry does an outstanding job supporting local families and supplementing programs like SNAP,” said Kari Klebba, the school district’s communications, community outreach and safety coordinator. “But with the anticipated interruption to SNAP benefits, the pantry’s resources will be stretched. Our students’ ‘Milton Meals Matter’ grocery drive will help the pantry keep their shelves stocked and help provide groceries to families between pantry visits.”

Milton community members placed non-perishable grocery items on their porches Saturday. Staff and individual students and clubs and sports teams including girls golf and boys and girls’ basketball fanned out across the school district to collect the items. Families living outside city limits could sign up for porch pickups or drop off items at Milton High School.

Ultimately, more than 10,000 items were donated.

On Sunday, about 70 families in need picked up items at the high school or had them delivered.

The idea for Milton Meals Matter began in a high school student council meeting, with sophomore Reanne Gilbert and her peers.

“We have about 350 students in our district on SNAP and about one in four who are on free and reduced lunch,” Klebba noted. “Our students recognized the impact and really rallied to support their classmates.”

“We threw it all together as a group; here’s the ideas, here’s some plans, let’s get this out to the public,” Gilbert said. “Just hearing the numbers, knowing how many kids might be struggling with food insecurity, we all wanted to help.”

Over the course of the weekend, students unloaded car after car filled with donations.

“Every time a car parked, I’d go out, help unload,” Gilbert said. “Just seeing how many people wanted to bring stuff was amazing.”

Excess donations were brought to the Milton Food Pantry.

“We were overwhelmed, but overwhelmed with emotion,” Klebba said. “Every car that pulled in, every busload that came back full of donations, it was heartwarming. We are so proud.”

For staff and students, the experience was a reminder of what defines Milton’s community spirit.

“I can speak for everyone involved — we’re incredibly proud of this community,” Klebba said. “Whenever there’s a real need, Milton responds. I’m impressed but not surprised. Milton is a community that takes care of each other.”