RACINE — One food donation at a time, one less person is going hungry in Racine. It's not the motto of the Racine organization, but it's exactly what is happening. Failure Is Not An Option, also known as F.
I.N.A.
O., has been dedicated to the community in various ways for more than 10 years. One of its most impactful efforts has been its food pantry.
In 2024, they donated 1.2 million pounds of food, served 11,000 different seniors, and donated thousands of prepared meals. "Well, we’re pastors, for one, and we understand that not only is there a spiritual need in people’s lives but also a natural need," Debra Brown said.
She is the founder of F.I.N.
A.O. and co-pastor at Kingdom Builders Ministries in Racine.
She started the program to help seniors, students, and their families who were experiencing hunger in the greater Racine area. "We have tapped into some of the high schools and found out that a lot of those children struggle mentally and educationally because of the lack of food," Brown said. F.
I.N.A.
O.'s food programs operate under a no-questions-asked policy. Twice a day on Tuesdays and Fridays, the organization welcomes seniors (65+) to the headquarters at 7207 Rapids Dr.
, to pick up food. Participants are limited to just one food pick-up per week. The food is intended for seniors.
However, people who are younger can pick it up for their senior relatives and friends. "My sister, she doesn’t have a car, and she needs the food. She just lives off her Social Securit.
