‘Handcuff Hunger’
Wega police host food drive, light show
By Angie Landsverk
The second annual Handcuff Hunger is being held from 3-10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, in Weyauwega.
Organized by Weyauwega police officers, the food drive and Christmas light show is taking place at 507 E. Ann St., across from Weyauwega-Fremont High School.
“The reason we are doing it again revolves around one word: community. Our goal has always been to build and maintain positive relationships within the community,” said Officer Justin Malueg. “We want to show everyone that we are in the community for them in and out of the uniform. This is a huge way to show that.”
Those who attend Saturday’s event are asked to bring non-perishable food items to help the officers fill their squad car.
“Our goal is to collect more donations than what we did last year. Last year, we collected just under $2,000 and almost a ton of food,” said Officer Justin Malueg. “The food pantry helps out dozens of families around the holidays, and we want to help them the best that we can. If we receive monetary donations again this year, they will be put right back into our community through various programs, including the food pantry.”
Last year, the city’s officers collected 1,540 pounds of food and $1,903 in monetary donations for Weymont Food Pantry.
The pantry serves families in the Weyauwega-Fremont School District.
This year, the officers also have collection sites for non-perishable food items spread throughout the city.
There are sites at City Hall, The Hitching Post and in front of 507 E. Ann St.
Handcuff Hunger goes through December, with the main collection effort taking place on Dec. 15.
This weekend’s event also includes music, treats and a visit from Santa Claus.
Santa Claus is going to be there from 6-7 p.m., with goodie bags for the children.
More than 30 Christmas carolers from Emmaus Lutheran Church are also set to be there during that time.
In addition, there will be cookies and hot cocoa.
The houses on either side are decorated as well.
The Christmas light show is synchronized to music and features more than 35,000 lights.
The light show is running from dusk until 10 p.m. daily until the first week of January.
The music is broadcast via radio station 107.7.
