Wausau Police are conducting an investigation into Blessings in a Backpack's finances

How a press release led to uncovering an investigation into a local charity's finances

The Wausonian received an email from a local foundation this afternoon that seemed like a it would be a pretty typical press release about some charitable giving. Instead, it turned out to be something very different.

Pam Jackson, CEO of the BA and Esther Greenheck Foundation, sent out the following press release Thursday afternoon:

The BA & Esther Greenheck Foundation recently learned of some financial discrepancies surrounding the Blessings in a Backpack program in Wausau.

As a result, the BA & Esther Greenheck Foundation and the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin have partnered with volunteers who previously assisted the local Blessings in a Backpack program to ensure that food filled backpacks continue to be delivered to the children of the Wausau and DC Everest school districts at this time.

The BA & Esther Greenheck Foundation, the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, and local volunteers are also working with the national Blessings in a Backpack organization in hopes of ensuring this program continues in our community for years to come. If you’d like to help provide weekend food for the children of these school districts, donations can be made to Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin referencing the BA & Esther Greenheck Foundation Feeding the Children Fund. If you’d like to volunteer and assist with packing backpacks, please contact Erin Noll at FeedingWausauDCEKids@gmail.com

The Wausonian followed up for further information.