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Neighbors Helping Neighbors

A Sun Prairie Way of Life

Our History

Sometimes small steps lead to big change. Such is the story of Sunshine Place, a nonprofit organization that cultivates community connections to spread rays of hope for individuals, families, and children in need. 

The organization began in 2001 as the vision of a group of citizens who felt called to help all citizens in the community thrive. Their vision became a reality in 2007 when Sunshine Place opened its doors as a single point of access for the local food pantry and The Red Barn, which then operated at separate sites.  

Today, Sunshine Place helps its Sun Prairie neighbors walking through hardships with approximately 148 acts of kindness per day. The 501(c)(3) organization, along with key community partners, provide food, clothing, beds, and other vital social services with respect and dignity from its three buildings on the corner of Main Street and Rickel Road in Sun Prairie. 

Our Mission

Sunshine Place provides comprehensive services that support essential needs through
community engagement and partnerships.

 

Our Vision

A community where everyone has the support, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive.

 

Our Values

Compassionate
We are known by our kindness to others.

Inclusive
We foster an environment that is welcoming to everyone without judgment.

Respectful
We treat everyone with dignity, recognizing the worth of every individual.

Collaborative
We cultivate and foster strong community and team relationships.

Accountable

We act with integrity in all that we do and are good stewards of the resources entrusted to us.

 

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Sunshine Place acknowledges that inequity and injustice exist in our community. We are dedicated to actively recognizing and addressing inequalities in our policies, programs, and services.

 

Our Onsite Partners

Sunshine Place sees working together as instrumental in helping those in need. In addition to our own programs, we subsidize space for other social service and non-profit organizations to co-locate their services alongside ours in one central location.  We want to thank our partners for being an important part of our Sunshine Place family to provide hope and help to our neighbors facing challenges. We couldn’t do it without you.

The following organizations provide services at Sunshine Place:

  • Centro Hispano
  • Joining Forces for Families
  • RISE – Early Childhood Initiative (ECI)
  • Dane County Madison Public Health
  • Tenant Resource Center

Our Staff

Your donation helps Sunshine Place spread rays of hope to individuals, families, and children in need. Sunshine Place uses financial gifts to deliver food, clothing, and necessary services to families facing hardship. Every donation is a valuable pledge that transforms lives in our community.

Ann Maastricht

Executive Director
ann@sunshineplace.org

Susan Schmidt

Director of Development
susan@sunshineplace.org

Catie Badsing

Manager – Food Security Programs
catie@sunshineplace.org

Charlotte Kuchan

Program Specialist
charlotte@sunshineplace.org

Marly Beck

Food for Kids Coordinator
marly@sunshineplace.org

Carol Benzine

Financial Assistant
carol@sunshineplace.org

Lizeth Gallegos

Bilingual Housing Navigation Specialist
lizeth@sunshineplace.org

Leticia Silva

Client Services & Volunteer Specialist
leticia@sunshineplace.org

Our Board Members

Board of Directors

Kevin Florek
Board President
Tellurian

Tom Anderson
Board Vice President
Buck & Honeys

Kelsey Kniess
Board Treasurer
QBE Insurance

Jim Ternus
Board Secretary
Strand Associates, Inc.

Hilde Felsing
Sun Prairie Food Pantry

Mizzier Campbell
Sun Prairie Community Schools

Brad Fulton
Caliber Law LLC

Latoya Holiday
WECR – UW Madison

Meme Kintner
Sun Prairie Food Pantry

Deb Krebs
Bank of Sun Prairie

Dan Piorkowski
Tellurian

Robert Rodriguez
Latino Academy of Workforce Dev.

Joseph Schuch
Bank of Sun Prairie

Mark Thompson
Sun Prairie Food Pantry

Leonard Webster
Sun Prairie Police Department

Latoya Holiday
WECR – UW Madison

Meme Kintner
Sun Prairie Food Pantry

Deb Krebs
Bank of Sun Prairie

Help a Neighbor by Donating Today!

Your donation helps Sunshine Place spread rays of hope to individuals, families, and children in need. Sunshine Place uses financial gifts to sustain vital programs that assist families and individuals facing hardship with food, housing, and other resources to improve their wellbeing. Every donation is a valuable pledge that transforms lives in our community.