Fox Cities businesses aid tornado relief efforts

Following a July 27 tornado that caused an estimated $8.2 million in damage across the Fox Cities in Wisconsin, Kaukauna, Appleton, Neenah, and Menasha, several small business owners temporarily shifted their focus to community support.

Destiny Antuna of Fox Valley Meal Prep opened her store as a donation hub, collecting essential items and organizing deliveries to affected residents. Lora Glasel of Recyclist Bicycle Co. gathered and repaired over 70 used bicycles, providing transportation for those whose vehicles were damaged.

These business owners quickly realized that coordinating aid required more than just collecting goods. Antuna and Glasel went door to door to understand residents’ specific needs, finding that outside help often arrived with items people already had in abundance. They used social media to connect volunteers with requests and streamline the distribution of resources. Antuna plans to continue supporting families in need through a monthly “meal match” program, donating a meal for every one purchased.

Shane Rosenow, owner of Rosenow Customs, mobilized a group of contractors to clear debris and protect damaged homes. His team tarped up to 200 homes and removed over 190 tons of wreckage. Rosenow and the volunteers also restored the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, working alongside a group from Risen Men. Though progress has been hampered by a subsequent storm, Rosenow emphasizes the collaborative effort that made the initial response possible.