Birthday bags filled for low-income families in Madison - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

MADISON (WKOW) -- Local volunteers helped fill 500 birthday bags with gifts for local low-income families on Wednesday.

The non-profit charity Cheerful Givers marked its expansion to Wisconsin on Wednesday at St. Vincent de Paul's Food Pantry in Madison.

"Today, like I said, is just an exciting expansion time for Cheerful Givers," Cheerful Givers President Karen Kitchel said. "And with our goal of reaching 100,000 kids this year, we know we can make that happen with your help."

The Minnesota-based charity has distributed more than 500,000 birthday bags to low-income families across the U.S. during the last 18 years. Now, Cheerful Givers is expanding to Wisconsin to help the many families in need.

"So it's to that population especially, that we're giving these efforts, so that they can have something that doesn't take money from their families or food off their tables to make these special days for their children," Madison St. Vincent de Paul Executive Director Ralph Middlecamp said.

Middlecamp says the food pantry served food to over 28,000 families last year.

The gift bags will be provided to those families who use the food pantry and may not have the means to celebrate a child's birthday.