Love Inc. again anticipates growing demand for assistance
By Jennifer Eisenbart
Staff writer
Upon learning a reporter was in the building Tuesday, a volunteer for Love Inc., a local independent social service agency, had a message she wanted to pass on:
“Tell them we need coats!” she said.
The volunteer wasn’t understating matters. On Monday, Love Inc. gave out 160 coats. If that sounds like a lot, it is. But it pales in comparison to the demand the agency anticipates. Last year, the group gave out 620 total coats. On Tuesday, there were about 175 coats left in the building.
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will pay $5 for every winter coat donated. Last year, Love Inc. received $2,000 from Thrivent.
“We are in desperate need of coats, especially children’s coats in new or gently used condition,” Love Inc. Program Director Dena Corey explained. She also expects the need for coats to rise – as need for all the programs at Love Inc. have over the last 12 months.
“It’s something that needs to be told,” Corey says. “People think in beautiful, suburban Burlington, there is no poverty.”
Currently, Love Inc. is providing assistance to 511 families through the food pantry – a pantry that serves all of those who meet income guidelines in Western Racine County. In addition, 350 children received new school shoes, 670 children received new school supplies and 50 to 60 people show up every evening for the meal site program.
Families are now being signed up for the agency’s Thanksgiving and Christmas programs. Last year, a little more than 600 people signed up for the Christmas gift and food program. This year, Corey and Love Inc. Executive Director Bill Schoessling are expecting close to 650.
“We are seeing a 10 percent rise in most programs,” Schoessling said. “We do not see it slowing down at all.”
Because of that, both Schoessling and Corey are asking residents to once again help out. Corey says that the residents of Burlington, Waterford and Western Racine County have come through time and again with donations when needed.
Right now, the group needs the donations of not just the children’s coats, but also snow pants and children’s boots. They appear to have enough free hats and scarves, courtesy of numerous groups that knit or crochet and then donate the products they finish.
It’s not just the current drives that need help, though. The food pantry is still at low levels, and that situation isn’t likely to improve soon. Schoessling has said in the past that as quickly as food comes in, it goes back out the door.
“We’re purchasing anywhere from $7,000-$10,000 in food every month, in addition to the food that’s donated privately and through the Racine County Food Bank,” Schoessling said. “We’re having to expand our food pantry just to take care of the demand.”
Those donations, most notably from the private sector, are how the food pantry is surviving. The pantry needs items such as canned fruit, canned meat, canned pasta, cereal, deodorant, diapers, Hamburger Helper, shampoo, snack foods, sugar, toilet paper and condiments (ketchup, mayonnaise, etc.).
“The cash and food donations that we receive from this community are the only things that allow us to continue to feed our neighbors,” Corey said.
If you are interested in donating to Love Inc., contact either Corey or Schoessling at (262) 763-6226.
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