Morning Update

You could run

Happy December, y’all!

Just so everybody knows, Hayley is fine!

In fact, she’s better than fine. As part of her year-long journalism fellowship, she’s in Florida, where it’s expected to be a sunny 75 degrees today. She’ll be back next week! Until then, it’s just you and me, buddy.

— Sam

A graph from the Badger Prairie Needs Network shows a doubling of individuals served over this time last year.

🥫 Area food banks are experiencing increased demand for services.

While demand typically increases in winter months, multiple area food banks say they’re experiencing a level of need far above what’s typically expected this time of year.
“Over 1,300 new households throughout Dane County have registered for our services this year,” Rhonda Adams, executive director of The River Food Pantry said. “As inflation continues to hit low-income households hard, we are gearing up for a very busy holiday season to meet the community’s growing need for food and household items.”
The best way to help is to donate. Here’s an (incomplete) list of organizations to consider supporting: Badger Prairie Needs Network, Middleton Outreach Ministry, The River Food Pantry, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Sun Prairie Emergency Food Pantry.
The bigger picture: Food banks are struggling this holiday season as inflation creates 'perfect storm' (USA Today)

🗳️ Who’s running for City Council?

Every City Council seat is up for reelection next year due to redistricting. In recent weeks, several announcements have been made by people who are – and aren’t – putting their names in the running.
These alders aren’t running for reelection: Alds. Patrick Heck (District 2), Erik Paulson (District 3), Brian Benford (District 6), Grant Foster (District 15), Matt Phair (District 20), Keith Furman (District 19), and Syed Abbas (District 12).
The Cap Times has a full breakdown of who’s made announcements in each district so far.
You can see which district you live in here.
Related: Run For Alder! (WORT)

🏘️ Dane County announced nearly $8 million for affordable housing projects.

The county announced Wednesday it will award $7,896,801 in funding for six affordable housing projects across Dane County.
In all, the projects are expected to create 550 units of affordable housing, including 318 units across three projects in Madison.

🧥 Madison schools are looking for donations to help homeless students this winter.

The Madison Metropolitan School District’s Transition Education Program needs donations year round, but is boosting its visibility now because November is Homelessness Awareness Month.
You can donate money, hygiene items, or winter clothes. The program serves many students of color and is in short supply of hair and skin care products made for Black children, Madison 365 reports.

🧑‍🚒 Want to help hire Madison’s new firefighters?

The Madison Fire Department is hiring for the first time in three years and is looking for locals who are interested in interviewing candidates.
The (volunteer) gig involves four days of panels (Jan. 4, 5, 6, and 9). If you’re interested in getting involved, reach out to Division Chief Paul Ripp by Dec. 16.
Yes, and? They’ll provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks.

Nitty Gritty fire. Image via Madison Fire Department

🍺 Your lunchtime read: Nitty Gritty’s fire sparks appreciation of its storied history and late founder

Via Magazine Magazine: “The recent fire that temporarily closed the Nitty Gritty on North Frances Street brought the realization that few restaurants or bars have endured in Madison longer than the Gritty, which opened Oct. 3, 1968.

For longtime Madisonians, it’s impossible to think about the Nitty Gritty without remembering, too, its colorful founder, Marsh Shapiro. As it happens, this December marks the 10th anniversary of Shapiro’s death, age 74, from brain cancer.”