🌱 Food Pantry Serves 1K+ People + Madison Schools To Go Virtual

Good morning, Madison! Like many of you, the Patch team is taking some time off to celebrate the New Year, so there will not be a newsletter in your inbox tomorrow. We appreciate your understanding of this slight pause in our schedule, and I will be back on Monday with the next edition of the Madison Daily! Now, here's everything happening around town today.

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First, today's weather:

Cloudy. High: 33 Low: 15.

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Here are the top stories today in Madison:

1. After another tough year, Feed The Children and The River Food Pantry held an extra drive-through on Thursday to make sure people start 2022 with a fridge full of food. The River Food Pantry Communications Manager Becca Carpenter said No Hunger Holidays served 275 families and 900 individuals during the three-hour event. (WMTV - NBC15)
2. On Thursday, the Madison School District announced students at all grade levels will start the new semester with online learning late next week, adding three days to winter break, amid record levels of COVID-19 cases in Dane County. In a statement to families, Superintendent Carlton Jenkins said students participating in extracurricular activities should get tested before returning. (Madison.com)
3. A family in Madison has made hearts smile at a local nursing home for the last 11 years by making ornaments for the residents at SSM Health St. Mary's Care Center. Dawn Schmitt started the program with her daughter as a Girl Scout project. Her daughter Lauren's troop needed to earn the 100-Year patch, so they decided on a project they called the "100 Joys of Christmas." (WKOW)

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Today in Madison:

• Rotary in Lights Ends At Village of Waunakee Community Events (All Day)

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From my notebook:

• Fetch Wisconsin Rescue is happy to learn Reesy (formerly Bree) is thriving with her new family after going through Fetch! Her mom and dad told Fetch that Reesy loves snuggles, heaters, and leaping around in the snow. (Facebook)
• 2021 saw the return of Madison Opera in the Park at Garner Park. The clear sky, full moon, and perfect weather were the perfect setting for beautiful music with friends and family." (Facebook)
• This year Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin teamed up with community partners to provide a mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinic at their health centers! (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. I'll see you soon!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.