Waupaca Food Pantry seeks donations for holiday meals
By Angie Landsverk
The Waupaca Area Food Pantry is seeking seasonal donations to help make the holidays special for those it serves.
“At least 150 families come through the door each month,” said Kathy Jenner, the pantry’s volunteer operations manager.
The pantry serves people who live in the Waupaca School District.
They may visit it once a month.
Located at 800 Churchill St., in Waupaca, the food pantry is open from 9-11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
People may receive information about income qualifications by calling 715-256-1645.
“Donations need to be timely, recognizing families only come to the pantry once per month. Special things the pantry doesn’t often get would make the (holiday) meal special for them,” said Christie Gabrilska.
She is the FoodWise nutrition coordinator in Waupaca County and also part of Living the Waupaca Way.
The local coalition is sponsoring its first Holiday Food Drive for the food pantry.
The event runs now through Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Drop-off sites
Donations for its food drive may be dropped off in the Waupaca County Courthouse lobby.
The coalition is accepting stuffing mix, gravy, cranberry sauce, canned yams, instant potatoes, hot chocolate, pie filling, dry pie crust mix, prepared pie crusts, evaporated milk, olives, pickles, mushrooms, French fried onions, salt, pepper, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and chili powder.
The Nutrition Center in downtown Waupaca will also have a bin available to shoppers who wish to purchase items for donation during the Holiday Food Drive.
Neumann’s Piggly Wiggly has an ongoing, active program in which customers may purchase bags of food that are donated to others.
The store is considering creating bags that contain ingredients for holiday meal preparation.
Pick ‘n Save regularly offers such bags, and is also considering creating bags that contain ingredients for holiday meal preparation.
In addition, people may donate items for the Holiday Food Drive at the food pantry when it is open.
Donations of turkeys and hams are accepted at the pantry as well during its hours.
The pantry is closed on Friday, Nov. 29, as well as on Christmas.
“Living the Waupaca Way wants to help spread the word about its (the pantry’s) needs,” Gabrilska said.
The pantry appreciates receiving turkeys and hams now, so they are available for all who visit the pantry during the next month.
Jenner said families celebrate Thanksiving and Christmas on various days, not just on the days the holidays are observed.
Financial donations also help the pantry purchase specific items it needs, she said.
Checks, payable to the Waupaca Area Food Pantry, may be sent to the pantry at P.O. Box 565, Waupaca, WI 54981, or dropped off when it is open.
In addition, the pantry is currently low on soup (especially vegetable soups), whole-wheat crackers, peanut butter, canned fruits (low sugar), canned vegetables (low salt), personal toiletries (full-size soap bars, shampoo, toothpaste, conditioner, female hygiene products, shaving cream), rice, jam, jelly, spices, juice boxes and macaroni and cheese.