Wisconsin Nonprofit Puts $1M Into Community, Wins Top Award

When families in St. Croix County, Wisconsin face eviction or utility shutoffs, Operation HELP steps in with emergency cash that keeps roofs over heads and lights on. Over the past five years, the nonprofit has pumped $1 million directly into the local economy while preventing homelessness for hundreds of working families.

The organization just received St. Croix Economic Development Corporation's 2025 Non-Profit of the Year Award. Executive Director Tim Puffer says the recognition highlights something crucial: helping people stay housed doesn't just prevent suffering, it strengthens the entire community's economy.

"Almost every one of our clients is an employee of someone here in town," Puffer explains. That $1 million went to landlords, utility companies, mechanics, and grocers, creating a ripple effect that supports local jobs and businesses.

What started as holiday meal deliveries by founders Bob and Mary Nasvik has grown into a comprehensive safety net. The organization became official in 1990, merged with another nonprofit in 2012 to add personal care items and vouchers, and continues expanding to meet growing needs.

The numbers tell a sobering story about rising struggles. In 2019, Operation HELP assisted 297 clients with rent and utilities. COVID doubled that to 600 families, and instead of dropping back down, demand plateaued between 400 and 500 clients annually.

"The basic purpose of nonprofits is to create change, to address a problem, to make things better," Puffer says. "Letting people know that change is possible is hope."

The Ripple Effect

Hundreds of volunteers power Operation HELP's mission, from staging diapers at the Resource Center to bagging cookies for the Hudson Area Backpack Program. Their donated hours translate directly into stability for working families who might otherwise spiral into homelessness after one unexpected expense.

When landlords get paid and workers keep their jobs, the entire community benefits. Businesses maintain their workforce, children stay in the same schools, and families preserve their dignity during temporary hardship.

Churches, foundations, clubs, and local businesses contribute funding that transforms crisis into stability. Every dollar spent on preventing eviction saves communities the much higher costs of homelessness, emergency services, and economic disruption.

Operation HELP proves that investing in people during their toughest moments creates measurable returns for everyone.