Friendship Force of Wisconsin

Second Harvest
2025-04-30 12:30 - 15:30 (America/Chicago) | Second Harvest Food Bank, 2802 Dairy Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53718
Join us for our monthly community volunteer event. Second Harvest provides food to food pantries throughout South Central Wisconsin. Since 1986 Second Harvest Foodbank has provided nearly 241 million meals to our neighbors in need in Southern Wisconsin. Friendship Force is one of many volunteer organizations that helps in the preparation and distribution of all this food. We hope to have as many as eight volunteers every last Wednesday of every month from 12:30 to 3:30 at Second Harvest to help out in this effort. Last month volunteers Mary Crave, Gail Holmes and Diane Mertens helped prepare Granny Smith apples for distribution with fellow volunteers from Starion Financial. In addition they prepared and packaged boxes of mixed vegetables. The projects we work on are always varied, and we never know what our tasks will be each time

Dining on the 6th
2025-05-06 12:00 - 13:30 | Taza, 1900 Cayuga St., Middleton, United States
Taza is the place to enjoy authentic foods of the Mediterranean and its many unique cuisines. From Greece and Turkey, around the Fertile Crescent, and all along the southern Mediterranean Sea to Egypt and Morocco, these are the dishes that stir our passion for food! Directions: Recommend anyone coming from Madison to take Highway 12 & 14 and Exit Ramp #251. There are traffic lights on University Ave. Cross University Ave onto Cayuga St. Taza is on the right. They have an extensive lunch menu with appetizers, soups

Spring Tilt
2025-05-13 15:00 - 16:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastary, 4200 County Highway M, Middleton, WI, United States
Volunteer Opportunity Holy Wisdom Monastery Spring Solar Tilt Tuesday, May 13 3:00-4:30 PM This is a hands-on event to help manually hand crank their solar array into a position for maximum efficiency. The time listed is a guideline. The tilt ends when all the panels are tilted! Optional dinner begins at 5:15 PM for a fee of $22. Advance registration for both events are a must https://holywisdommonastery.org/event/spring-solar-tilt-2/

Book Club
2025-05-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom – within your own home!, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
For the month of May, the Book Club will be reading The Mockingbird Next Door, by Marja Mills, and we are delighted to welcome Ms. Mills to our zoom meeting on May 19! Tom Miller has arranged for her participation, and we will have a unique opportunity to learn more about her experience enjoying and documenting her close friendship with Nelle Harper Lee and her sister Alice Lee in their hometown of Monroeville, Alabama, some 160 miles south of Birmingham.
Book Club May 19, 7:00 PM via zoom Special Quest Marja Mills

Adopt A Highway
2025-05-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Intersection of Hwy 51 and Tower Road
Join us in our service activity. The road is quieter and less busy, which is better for chatting while working. There was a lot of garbage when we cleaned on April 13th because the new section hasn’t had a group to clean it up for awhile. We really made a difference! Our next cleanup is Friday May 23, 10am-noon. Meet up on Highway 51. (Parking on Highway 51 at the intersection with Tower Drive – there is a large gravel shoulder to park on. Click on the link to see map. Note, there is a Tower Rd that intersects with Highway 51 near McFarland that could be confused with our location. Another way to find it is to search for “Altemus Corners House Bed and Breakfast” in maps, which is at the same intersection.). https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9186274,- 89.1515839,15z?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQxMy4wIK XMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D Please contact Stephanie Vanden Bush (sljacobs2@gmail.com

Brazil - Outbound
2025-05-27 08:00 - 2025-06-06 17:00 | Wisconsin
We will travel first to Belo Horizonte, Brazil, from May 27 to May 31, 2025, then on to Belem, Brazil, from May 31 to June 6.— Initial applications due November 3, 2024

Second Harvest
2025-05-28 12:30 - 15:30 | Second Harvest Food Bank, 2802 Dairy Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53718
Join us for our monthly service activity. Second Harvest needs our help sorting and dividing donated food items that are distributed to food pantries throughout South Central Wisconsin. The need is greater than ever. If you cannot volunteer, your cash contributions are also appreciated so that they can purchase important perishable items such as milk.

Book Club
2025-06-01 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom – within your own home!, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
Monday, September 15
And now, a novel set in 1930s Kentucky.
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek – Kim Michele Richardson (2019), 308 pp. 41 of 55 copies available.
“Cussy Mary Carter is the last of her kind, her skin the color of a blue damselfly in these dusty hills. But that doesn’t mean she’s got nothing to offer. As a member of the Pack Horse Library Project, Cussy delivers books to the hill folk of Troublesome, hoping to spread learning in these desperate times. But not everyone is so keen on Cussy’s family or the Library Project, and the hardscrabble Kentuckians are quick to blame a Blue for any trouble in their small town. The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a story of raw courage, fierce strength, and one woman’s determination to bring a little bit of hope to the darkly hollers.”

Dining on the 6th
2025-06-06 11:30 - 13:00 | Green Lantern, 4412 Siggelkow Rd, MdFarland, WI, United States
11:30 AM, Meeting at the Green Lantern in McFarland
If It’s Friday, Then It Must Be Fish Fry in Wisconsin!
A combined biking an lunch event.
For lunch, we will meet at the Green Lantern Restaurant on Lake Waubesa, famous for their Friday Fish Fry. Our club will have a private downstairs room. Most menu items cost about $10.95. There is a 3.5% charge for use of credit card.
You may either cycle or drive to McFarland
CYCLING
People interested in cycling have a long and short option. The long option starts at the parking lot of the Wyndham Garden Hotel 2969 Cahill Main, Fitchburg. Departing at 10:15. The short option is 2.6 miles starting at the west parking lot of the Lussier Family Heritage Center 3101 Lake Farm Road. Be ready to leave by 11:00. For all details, see the newsletter and recent email messages.
DRIVING
From the beltline get onto Stoughton Road/Hwy 51 and go south. Take the first exit just before the bridge on to Terminal Drive. Follow Terminal Drive to Siggelkow Road.
Please contact Vivian Norton by email, vjoan@icloud.com or text 563-508-1323 by Tuesday June 3 if you are interested. Let her know if you are driving or biking and whether you are taking the long biking route or the short route.

Open Doors for Refugees
2025-06-22 12:00 - 16:00 | Olin Park Pavilion
Open Doors for Refugees invites you to their free community picnic. You can join a potluck picnic at the Olin Park Pavilion. This free event will feature family friendly activities, delicious food, Live music and the performance of the Attan, Afghanistan’s national dance.
Read more about what is planned on the Open Doors for Refugees website https://opendoorsforrefugees.org/. More information about ways you can contribute in this month’s newsletter. The newsletter also has information about how you can sign up.

Second Harvest
2025-06-25 12:30 - 15:30 | Second Harvest Food Bank, 2802 Dairy Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53718
2802 Dairy Drive, Madison,
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
It’s that time again! Our next Second Harvest Foodbank volunteer day is Wednesday June 25 from 12:30 – 3:30

Book Club
2025-06-28 14:00 - 16:00 | Zoom – within your own home!, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
NOTE____ NOW A ZOOM!!!!!
The Optimist’s Daughter – Eudora Welty (1972), 180 pp. 15 copies in the library system.
The people of Mount Salus Mississippi always felt good about Judge McKelva. He was a quiet solid reassuring figure. The ten years after his first wife’s death he marries the frivolous young Wanda Fay. The book is a reflective, poignant novel of independence and love, for which Eudora Welty, one of American’s greatest contemporary Souther writers, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize.

Dining on the 6th
2025-09-06 12:00 - 13:30 | Cafe Hollander, 701 Hilldale Way, Madison
We are meeting at Cafe Hollander in the Hilldale shopping mall. They have a wide range of food available. We plan to gather in their outside dining area weather permitting. Please RSVP to Gail Holmes by September 4.

Book Club
2025-09-13 16:00 - 17:30 | Maureen Kind, 5901 Mayhill Dr., Madison, WI, United States
After two months of free-range reading (it’s been fun!), we will meet in PERSON.
Maureen Kind’s home
5901 Mayhill Dr. Madison
We look forward to discussing The Hundred-Foot Journey, and
to hearing about everyone’s summer adventures. Autumn
approaches!
The Hundred-Foot Journey –
Richard C. Morais (2008), 245

Second Harvest Food Bank Volunteer Activity
2025-09-24 12:30 - 15:30 | Second Harvest Food Bank, 2802 Dairy Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53718
Our volunteer day at Second Harvest Food Bank will be Wednesday, September 24.
Second Harvest provides food support to thousands of families, seniors, and kids across southwestern Wisconsin through a network of 300 partner agencies and programs.

Book Club
2025-10-04 08:00 - 17:00 | TBD
Saturday, October 4 – time, location TBD
Contemporary insight into our justice system, from a brilliant lawyer who works to make it a better one. Just Mercy: a story of justice and redemption Bryan Sevenson (2014) 336 pp. 53 of 60 copies are available in the library

Dining on the 6th
2025-10-06 12:00 - 13:30 | Garver Feed Mill, 3241 Garver Green, Madison
October 6 we will meet at the Garver Feed Mill for an outdoor patio lunch at Ian’s Pizza. Ians’a offers chess or pepperoni slices for $4.50 and signature pizzas for $5.50 a slice. Register with Gail Holmes by October 5th.

Outbound to Birmingham, Alabama
2025-10-19 - 2025-10-24 | Birmingham, Ala
Our club members will be hosted in Birmingham from October 19-October 24. There will be a strong emphasis on civil rights with a possible pre or post tour. Ken & Vicki Warren are coordinators,

Dining on the 6th
2025-11-06 00:00 - 13:30 | Wisconsin
Dining on the 6th
Thursday
November 6, 2025
12:00 Noon
Zafferano Ristorante
2969 Cahill Main,
Fitchburg

Book Club
2025-11-17 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom – within your own home!, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
Book Club
Monday
November 17, 2025
7:00 PM Zoo

For November, we will be reading The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson (2019), a
novel set in the hard times in the beautiful mountains of Kentucky.

Second Harvest
2025-11-19 12:30 - 15:30 | Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, 2802 Dairy Drive, Madison, 53719, United States
Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, Friendship Force’s volunteer day has been moved to Wednesday, November 19. Please let our new leader, Mary Crave (mary.crave@wisc.edu) know of your participation by November 13.

Holiday Party
2026-01-04 13:00 - 16:00 | Buck and Honeys, Monona
Join us in celebrating the holidays and sharing Friendship. Save the Date!! We will meet at Buck and Honeys in Monona. RSVP information to be published later.
When: Sunday, January 4, 2026, from 1-4 pm
Where: Buck & Honey’s – Monona (800 W Broadway #300, Monona, WI
53713)
What: Meal and Holiday Ornament Exchange (Please bring a wrapped
holiday ornament from your travels that will be put in a basket for exchange.)
Price includes a buffet entre choice of Salmon, Chicken or Vegetable dish, and includes salad,
roll, two sides, & a dessert brownie
Note: Water is included & a cash bar offers alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
To sign up go to the newsletter on the website https://ffwis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Newsletter-2025-11.pdf

Important Club Membership Meeting
2026-01-10 13:30 - 15:30 | Wisconsin
We will meet with the Friendship Force International CEO, Jeremi Snook to discuss the vision for the FFI of the future and the change of the dues structure. It is important for all members to attend.

Freeze for Food
2026-02-09 08:00 - 17:00 | Wisconsin
Some of our members have participated in past years. The event is organized by the Returned Peace Corps of Wisconsin-Madison. They are proudly raising money for Open Doors for Refugees, a local Madison non-profit. Sign up at https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Madison/RPCVFreezeForFood

Book Club
2026-02-16 07:00 - 20:30 | Zoom – within your own home!, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
Our next meeting will also take place by zoom on Monday February 16, 7:00. We will discuss Patriot by Alexei Navalny (2024). ” This is a powerful and moving memoir of a fearless political opposition leader who paid the ultimate price for his beliefs. Alexei Navalny began writing the Patriot shortly after his near fatal poisoning in 2020. ” If you would like to be added to the contact list for the book club, please contact Marjie Marion.

Second Harvest Volunteer Activity
2026-02-25 12:30 - 15:30 | Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, 2802 Dairy Drive, Madison, 53719, United States
Join us February 25 for our monthly commitment at Second Harvest, 2602 Dairy Drive, Madison. The 12:30 – 3:30 PM shift goes quickly with fellow volunteers. Please let Mary Crave know by Monday, February 23 if you can help. mtcrave@gmail.com or 608-575-9847.

Dining on the Sixth
2026-03-06 12:00 - 14:00 | Erins Snug Pub, 4601 American Parkway, Madison, WI, United States
Join us for an Irish lunch on Friday March 6th, 2026. We will meet at Erins Snug Irish Pub at 12PM for lunch. The address is 4601 American Parkway. Register with Gail Holmes by March 3rd. See the newsletter for complete details.

International Festival Volunteer Opportunity
2026-03-07 10:00 - 17:00 | Overture Hall, 201 State St, Madison, WI, United States
Volunteers are needed to staff a booth. Please consider sharing our mission and your knowledge, support, and welcoming energy with festival participants for an hour, two hours or more. Contact Jan Barbone at madcapjan@yahoo.com or call Jan at 608-219-7479 to sign-up for times that you are available to volunteer.

Book Club
2026-03-16 07:00 - 20:30 | Zoom – within your own home!, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
Join us to discuss the book Orhan’s Inheritance, a novel by Aline Ohanesian. “When Orhan’s brilliant and eccentric grandfather, who built a dynasty out of making cilium rugs, is found dead in a vat of dye, Orhan inherits the decades old business. But, his grandfather’s will raises more questions than it answers. Kemal has led the family estate to a stranger thousands of miles away, an aging woman in a retirement home in Los Angeles. Her existence and secrecy about her past only deepen the mystery of why Orhan’s grandfather would have left their home to this woman rather than his own family. ”

Second Harvest
2026-03-25 12:30 - 15:30 | Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, 2802 Dairy Drive, Madison, 53719, United States
With monthly opportunities, you can choose a date that works around your travels, winter get-aways, and other obligations. All you need to do is respond toan email sent in the middle ofthemonth. Mary Crave lets Second Harvest know how many will be coming so they can plan accordingly. The distribution center is located at 2602 Dairy Drive, Madison, just minutes from Stoughton Rd and the Beltline.
