About Bucket of Bread
The Story
About: Chris Wysong is a career Army Veteran. Now, he is the owner and founder of Bucket of Bread LLC located in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Chris grew up near Des Moines, Iowa, on a gravel road between Hartford and Carlisle in the 70s and 80s. Right out of high school, he enlisted into the Army and immediately participated in Operations Desert Shield and Storm serving his time in Iraq during the Gulf War in 1991.
After his first tour of duty ended, he lived in Germany exploring, working, and forcing himself to learn the language. He also discovered a love for the Germany bakeries; little did he understand the future significance of his fondness.
He returned to the United States to join up with the Army Reserves while working with the Department of the Army full time and attending college part time. His duties allowed him to travel throughout the United States and visit places like Korea, Panama, and Guatemala.
In 2003, he received a commission through the Officer Candidate School program at Fort Benning, Georgia (now Fort Moore). He eventually completed college earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and graduating with honors through Upper Iowa University. He deployed again for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004-2005 and again in 2010-2011.
His last duty station was Fort McCoy where he lived in Sparta, Wisconsin, working as a Logistics and Planning Officer. He retired as a senior Captain and moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Throughout his adulthood, Chris has been making delicious at home baked deliciousness combined with his homemade meals. Over time, he fine tuned his methods as he sought out ways to make it easy with good results.
Whenever there was a charity or event for fundraising that he was able to participate with, Chris would bake something special to add to the event. He found his breads and other baked goods were especially something to appreciate from an outpouring of constant feedback. Some folks even referred affectionately to him as, “The Bread Guy” over the years.
These experiences and a genuine love for being in the kitchen, must have worked their way up from the back of his mind. One night a dream in a 3 a.m. dream vividly portrayed putting all those experiences and delicious creations into a bucket to help people. This concept then made its way to a sticky note and was pushed to the top of a to-do list.
Apparently, this turned out to be unlike anything previously done in the thousands of years of baking dough into bread. The University of Wisconsin School of Business conducted MBA-level market research only to discover what was once old is now new with Bucket of Bread’s repackaged twist on baking with doughs! This was the sign that it was in deed time to introduce something new to the American market.
About: A Plan to Action
This original idea quickly led to communication with the Small Business Development Center at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. There, a business plan was drafted, location secured, renovations made to pass state health code regulatory inspections, ingredients and buckets ordered, obtained a license, insured it all, and began producing buckets for farmers markets and online orders.
The Driving Force is Still Helping those Less Fortunate
Bucket of Bread has brought tax deductible donations of buckets given by customers like you directly to the Hunger Task Force of La Crosse. These buckets of Bucket of Bread brand dough mix were placed directly into the food pantry distribution network. Your continued support for this immediate endeavor is greatly appreciated.
In addition to bringing donations of buckets, Bucket of Bread continues to share profits with charities combating hunger and fighting food insecurity in America. That means every purchase helps because there is a good deed in every bucket!
Bucket of Bread became ready to put out a larger message to a larger audience. Welcome to this new chapter! Please choose to put Bucket of Bread to work for you. Grab a bucket, stay in touch, and watch the chance to make a difference turn into reality.
Thank you, Mom!
Also… I love you, Mom!
Thank you for teaching me how to cook, bake, and also for your believing in Bucket of Bread.
More About Bucket of Bread's Baking Kits (and More!)
Bucket of Bread Brand Dough Mixes are made with the highest quality certified organic ingredients. The products are super simple to use, last up to 2 whole weeks in your fridge after adding water, and can be used in so many different easy recipes. One full large bucket makes around 4 pounds of dough! Collected donations and a portion of all profits go towards efforts combating food insecurity in America. There’s no preservatives, fats, oils, dairies, egg or sugars added. These buckets ship to anywhere in the USA. And, yes, you can even send these to miliary families using APO addresses.
About Bucket of Bread…
What is it?
Delivering Freshness Every Day at a Time
Everything shipped from Bucket of Bread is mailed through the United States Postal Service. Choose between the options of Ground or Priority Mail. Everything is insured, tracked, and fast! Orders usually ship within 24-hours of your order. Selecting the local pick-up option is easy too! Bucket of Bread will reach out for all local orders to ensure your desired pick-up time works conveniently for your schedule!
Sustainability Considerations
These buckets are made from 100% recyclable High Density Poly Ethylene plastics. HDPE plastic is the most environmentally stable of all plastics – giving off no harmful fumes into the environment. Manufacturing HDPE plastics requires only a fraction of the energy required to produce steel from iron ore, further contributing to its classification of being Eco-friendly.
Made in the United States of America
Bucket of Bread sources all ingredients and packaging through established American-based companies. American products and ingredients provides customers high-quality ingredients while also supporting local economies. Bucket of Bread is 100% Veteran Owned.
