Brandi Poellinger Named Development Director of St. Croix Valley Food Bank
Hudson, Wis. (April 9, 2026) – The St. Croix Valley Food Bank (SCVFB) announced today that Brandi Poellinger has been hired as the organization’s Development Director.
In her new role, Brandi will lead SCVFB’s development efforts, strengthen donor and community relationships, and support the organization’s mission to provide equitable access to food in the organization’s service area in Pierce, St. Croix, Polk and Burnett counties.
A long-time regional community engagement leader, Poellinger comes to St. Croix Valley Food Bank following her time as senior leader with Allina Health, where her work focused on advancing health-related initiatives through philanthropy and community engagement.
“Brandi is recognized for her ability to build meaningful relationships, guide strategic initiatives and champion programs that address community needs,” stated Lee Kroll, executive director, St. Croix Valley Food Bank. “She is well-suited to create awareness of the need for hunger relief and connect donors in meaningful ways to the St. Croix Valley Food Bank’s ability to address food scarcity in substantive ways.”
Established in 2021, the St. Croix Valley Food Bank has grown to serve more than 55 hunger relief partners in Burnett, Pierce, Polk and St. Croix Counties. In 2025, 3.8 million pounds of food came through SCVFB to partner programs, providing 80% of the food distributed to those in need in the four counties.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve this critical mission in a part of Wisconsin that I know so well,” said Poellinger. “This works speaks to my heart and my passion, and I’m excited to leverage my skills and experience to get more food onto more tables in our region.”
“Brandi is joining us at just the right time as we are investing in constructing the first permanent food bank building in this region to address food scarcity,” stated Brian Elwood, SCVFB Board President. “We have been given the opportunity to fundamentally increase the levels of food distribution in our region and Brandi brings the passion and talent to share this story.”
Brandi resides in River Falls with her husband and their daughter, who plays hockey and softball. As a family, they enjoy attending sporting events and traveling. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Community Health Education the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from St. Mary’s University.
Building Hope: Construction Begins on Our New Facility
Hudson, WI, October 24, 2025 - St. Croix Valley Food Bank Begins Construction of Permanent Facility to Support Hunger Relief in St. Croix, Burnett, Pierce, and Polk Counties
Thanks to the generosity of early supporters and partners, site preparation has begun at 2181 Jack Breault Drive in Hudson, the location for a permanent facility for the St. Croix Valley Food Bank.
“This milestone marks the first visible step toward building a permanent home that will strengthen hunger relief across western Wisconsin,” said St. Croix Valley Food Bank Executive Director Lee Kroll. “To leverage and steward the more than $11 million that’s been raised thus far and take advantage of construction efficiencies planned for the project, now is the right time to begin construction. And we couldn’t be more excited.”
As the only food bank serving St. Croix, Burnett, Pierce and Polk Counties, St. Croix Valley Food Bank along with its 55+ partners provides nearly 5 million pounds of food annually. However, it is estimated that the need for food across this same region is 8-10 million pounds. The St. Croix Valley Food Bank’s current leased facility has significant limitations, including lacking sufficient freezer and refrigeration space, to reach the distribution levels needed in the four-county area.
Over the past two years, St. Croix Valley Food Bank staff and volunteers have been researching and designing a facility that will give the nonprofit agency the capacity to address the projected levels of food insecurity, as well as to operate more efficiently and cost effectively. The total construction cost is estimated to total $16.1 million.
“The new facility is designed with the flexibility we need to accept donations of fresh food from farmers when it’s available, or to accommodate changes in funding streams,” said St. Croix Valley Food Bank Director of Operations Todd Stewart. “Because of our current facility limits, we’re missing out on opportunities to receive donated and rescued food that could be distributed among our hunger relief partners. We need to be able to have a facility that allows us to be flexible to address food insecurity in the most effective and efficient way possible.”
Fundraising efforts have also been underway, with $11.6 million committed to the project to date.
“The support for this project and its potential to impact food insecurity in the region has been remarkable,” said Brian Elwood, President of the St. Croix Valley Food Bank Board of Directors. “We wouldn’t start construction if we weren’t confident that we could complete the project on time and on budget. Residents in this region understand the tremendous need and the important role St. Croix Valley Food Bank plays in addressing that need.”
Targeted large donor outreach will continue in the coming months with the announcement of a campaign goal and a full public fundraising campaign launch expected in 2026.
St. Croix Valley Food Bank is pleased to partner with general contractor Market & Johnson and architect Studio EA for this project.
St. Croix Valley Food Bank Welcomes Todd Stewart as Director of Operations
St. Croix Valley Food Bank is proud to announce the appointment of Todd Stewart as the new Director of Operations, effective immediately. With over a decade of experience in logistics, warehousing, and facility growth, Todd brings a wealth of expertise that will be invaluable as we continue to grow and serve our community.
In his new role, Todd will oversee day-to-day operations, logistics, and distribution systems that support our mission to provide food and resources to individuals and families facing hunger across the St. Croix Valley. His focus will be on enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening partnerships with local agencies, and ensuring that the food bank continues to serve the community with compassion and integrity.
“We are thrilled to welcome Todd to the team,” said Lee Kroll, Executive Director of St. Croix Valley Food Bank. “His leadership and operational expertise will be invaluable as we expand our reach and impact. Todd shares our deep commitment to hunger relief and building stronger, healthier communities.”
Todd joins St. Croix Valley Food Bank from Quality Custom Distribution in Roseville, MN. He is known for his hands-on leadership style and his ability to foster collaboration across teams and partners. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Todd has volunteered with backpack programs and provided food for children in his community. His passion for giving back and his hands-on experience in food distribution made him a natural fit for our mission, and he is excited to continue supporting our efforts to meet the needs of the western Wisconsin.
For more information about St. Croix Valley Food Bank and our work in the community, visit www.stcroixvalleyfoodbank.org.
St Croix Valley Food Bank Featured on St. Croix Stories Podcast
We’re thrilled to be featured on St. Croix Stories, a podcast that highlights the incredible people and organizations making a difference in our community. Tune in to hear powerful stories and how YOU can be part of the movement to end food insecurity!