Sussex Yule Feed drive hungry for help

Posted: Dec. 4, 2012

The Sussex Sun Yule Feed Families food drive has not received any help from the community since it began Nov. 22. We're guessing that's because you're saving up for the Lions Club's upcoming food drive next weekend.

The Sussex Sun partners with the Lions each year for its Yule Feed drive matching 70 cents per dollar donated and 40 cents per food item up to $500. The Lions work each year to provide Christmas meals to area families in need what better way to ensure the pantry gets even more help by donating during the Yule Feed drive.

Sussex Area Food Pantry Executive Director, Jennifer Waltz, said for $23 a food basket can be assembled for a Christmas meal.

"We already had more people sign up for aThanksgiving basket than we handed out last year," said Waltz.

The Lions assembled and delivered nearly 250 meals to families for Thanksgiving, and they anticipatesimilar numbers for the Christmas meal. Lion John Haunfelder, who helps organize the effort, said this year the Lions have a bigger challenge. In prior years, an anonymous donor purchased 100 of the meals, but that has not happened this year. However, Haunfelder and the Lions are committed to making it work. We at the Sun ask if you can commit some help toward this effort.

You can help in many ways. The pantry needs donations for the food drive. You can send a donation to the Sussex Sun at 810 Cardinal Lane, Suite 210, Hartland, WI 53029 or drop it off during normal business hours. We can accept food donations and monetary donations at this office.

Or you can stop by the Sussex Piggly Wiggly or Pick 'n Save from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 15-16. The Lions will be at both stores on both days in an effort to meet the growing need.

And it's not just a Christmas meal that is needed for struggling residents this holiday season. Christmas gifts are also sought for pantry clients. Waltz said puzzles, games, toys, books and gift cards go to families in need for Christmas gifts. You can extend a helping hand further by adopting a pantry family to shop for; contact Waltz at director@sussexareasos.org for more information.

Every donation helps, and every donation given during the Yule Feed drive will be matched with even more help for the pantry. The drive ends at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, so if you miss the Lions next week, there's still time to help.

Lions meal drive

What: Sussex Lions Club gathering donations for Christmas meals for Sussex Food Pantry clients; the Sussex Sun will match each food item donated by 40 cents and each dollar by 70 cents

When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15 and Sunday, Dec. 16

Where: Sussex Pick 'n Save and Sussex Piggly Wiggly

Yule Feed: You can also send donations directly to the Sussex Sun to benefit the food pantry at 810 Cardinal Lane, Suite 210, Hartland, WI 53029 or drop it off during normal business hours