Bucks, Sargento team up for $44,000 donation through Tipoff for Homes initiative

By: CBS 58 Newsroom

Posted: Aug 17, 2021 11:17 AM CDT

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Sargento Foods and the Milwaukee Bucks joined forces to make a $44,000 donation to Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity through the Tipoff for Homes initiative.

The program calls for a $500 donation from Sargento to Habitat for Humanity for every tipoff the Bucks win during the regular season, officials said on Tuesday, Aug. 17.

“We thank Sargento for their continued partnership and their gracious contributions made throughout our historic playoff run,” said Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum President Peter Feigin. “We’re thrilled to team up with Sargento to help donate more than $75,000 to Habitat for Humanity in only two seasons of the Tipoff for Homes program and to make a lasting impact in our community."

This year, Sargento agreed to double its contribution to $1,00 for every tipoff the Bucks won during their NBA Championship-winning playoff run.

“We are so proud of the Milwaukee Bucks for bringing a championship home to Wisconsin. Doubling our Tipoff for Homes donation continues our long-standing support of Milwaukee Habitat and demonstrates our commitment to providing access to safe, affordable housing. We’re proud to partner with the Milwaukee Bucks to make people more aware of the need and to drive real change through Tipoff for Homes,” said Louie Gentine, CEO of Sargento Foods.

Officials say the Bucks won 52 of the 72 opening tips during the regular season and 18 of 23 tipoffs during the playoffs resulting in a $4,000 donation from Sargento to support Habitat for Humanity in Milwaukee.

"Every time the Bucks secure that tipoff it's another wall going up in a safe, affordable home in our city," says Brian Sonderman, Executive Director of Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity. “We're so grateful for the partnership with Sargento and the Milwaukee Bucks to help local families become first-time homebuyers."

Officials say during its inaugural season in 2019-20, Tipoff for Homes raised $33,500, with the two-season donation now at $77,500.