Area churches team up to make a difference
By Tracy Ouellette
Staff Writer
Eight area churches have come together to sponsor the second annual Change the World Community Food Drive Oct. 12-13. The volunteers for this year’s drive are motivated by the Bible verse from 1 John 3:18, “let’s not love with words or speech but with action and truth,” according to drive co-chairperson Cindi Schweitzer.
Most of the volunteers for the drive come from the sponsor churches: Burlington’s English Settlement United Methodist, Faith Chapel Evangelical Free; Waterford’s New Beginnings, St. Thomas Aquinas and Community United Methodist; Rochester’s First Congregational and Caldwell United Methodist. However, community volunteers are welcome and encouraged.
“It’s a time for people to come together for a couple of hours and support those families in need,” she said.
The churches, in conjunction with seven local stores, will be collecting non-perishable food items and toiletries for area food pantries Friday, Oct. 12 and Saturday, Oct. 13, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. both days.
Volunteers with collection barrels will be at the Walmart, Sentry, Pick ’n Save and Goosberries in Burlington; the Waterford Pick ’n Save and the Mukwonago Walmart and Pick ’n Save.
“We have about 150 volunteers right now,” said food drive co-chairman Schweitzer. “We really need 200 people to help out.”
The food and money raised during the drive will be split five ways, benefitting Love Inc. Burlington Food Pantry, CUMC Waterford Food Pantry, TLC-Transitional Living Center in Burlington, St. Thomas/St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and the Caldwell UMC Food Pantry.
“It helps hundreds of families,” said Schweitzer. “I don’t think people realize there are 400 families just in Waterford alone utilizing area food pantries. And last year, the numbers I’ve seen, say 6 percent of Burlington’s population is utilizing food pantry services.”
Last year, the Community Food Drive collected more than 3,600 pounds of food and raised $1,037 in monetary donations. This year, the hours have been extended on Friday at the request of the stores, according to Schweitzer.
“All the stores have been overwhelmingly supportive,” she said. “They’re all making up bags for us so people can just grab them as they shop. And we encourage everyone to shop this weekend and support these stores.”
Donations can also be dropped off directly at Community United Methodist Church, 455 S. Jefferson St., Waterford.
For more information, or to volunteer, call (262) 534-2313.
What’s needed
The local food pantries have made a list of non-perishable food items and paper products that are in desperate need. They include:
• sugar and baking items;
• Hamburger Helper;
• canned tuna/chicken;
• spaghetti sauce;
• cereal;
• canned vegetables;
• soup;
• dry pasta;
• crackers;
• macaroni and cheese;
• snack items;
• juice;
• diapers;
• soap/body wash;
• shampoo/conditioner;
• deodorant;
• toothpaste:
• toilet paper:
• napkins and paper towels
Monetary donations can be made payable to Community United Methodist Church, 455 S. Jefferson St., Waterford, WI 53185. For more information, call (262) 534-2313.
Collection locations
• Waterford: Pick ’n Save
• Burlington: Gooseberries, Walmart, Pick ’n Save and Sentry
• Mukwonago: Walmart and Pick ’n Save
Hours:
Friday, Oct. 12 – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.,
Saturday, May 14 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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