Saturday, May 18, 2013
Volunteers have their hands full sorting through hundreds of bags delivered from the Muskego Post Office, which held their Stamp Out Hunger drive on May 11
It's a happy problem to have if you're in the business of collecting food for families in need. A literal mountain of bags filled with food donations rested in the warehouse at the Muskego Food Pantry on Thursday, with volunteers looking on with an overwhelmed expression on their faces. "It's amazing, isn't it?" said volunteer Wendy Gajewski. "All from Saturday...so, we've got our hands full." While an estimate of the poundage of food was not yet available, food pantry director Julie Frahmann said the response was impressive. The Stamp Out Hunger drive put bags in the hands of postal route customers to fill and leave at their mailboxes on Saturday, May 11. With the estimates of the numbers of bags turned in, it's likely to exceed 1,000 …
Friday, May 17, 2013
Local businessman uses coupon fundraiser to single-handedly net $15,000 for the Muskego Food Pantry
If you've got kids, or know kids, chances are you've been asked to purchase coupon cards to in turn get discounts at local businesses. Local businessman Craig Lesser connected with Rob Bartz, CEO of The Community Choice (also known as the Cash Coupon) to take the concept hi tech, and the Muskego Food Pantry will see the rewards. Bartz had researched the card concept, realizing that much of the profits never made it to the nonprofits, and thought that people might find accessing the deals via their smart phones might be far easier than keeping a card. "I realized I could do this better, and started marketing this in 2008," he said. Lesser joined the Community Choice team, and took a personal interest in the Food Pantry, seeing the …
Friday, April 26, 2013
The price was right, but the time was short; luckily, the Muskego Food Pantry used the power of friends and Facebook to collect enough money for a much-needed commercial refrigerator
Wendy Gajewski was shopping for a faucet with her husband at an appliance store in West Allis when a simultaneous solution and problem caught her attention. The volunteer for the Muskego Food Pantry noticed a commercial sized refrigerator on the sales floor at DA Berther, Inc., and asked the sales person how much the large unit cost, as it was the perfect size for the needs at the pantry. "He told me it was about $2,600, which was marked down substantially from its regular price of about $8,000, and that they had about five of them," Gajewski said. That was Wednesday, April 17. Gajewski told the salesperson to hold one of the refrigerators until the end of the day Friday the 19th. "I was pretty sure we could get support but I knew I had to…
Monday, April 8, 2013
As part of a five-day tour by Pick n Save/Roundy's, Muskego Food Pantry will benefit by receiving a share of $258,000 in total donations from the grocery chain
The truck will roll up to the Pick 'n Save in Muskego on Tuesday, April 9 to deliver Muskego Food Pantry, as well as the Mukwonago and Kettle Moraine Food Pantry. Pick ‘n Save employees will be in the parking lot unloading a semi-truck full of nearly 34,000 pounds of food that will be handed over to representatives from area food pantries who are feeling the strain of the economy and increased demand. Representatives from the Roundy’s Foundation will also be presenting a check to each food pantry. The event will be part of a five-day, 14-city, bi-annual Roundy’s Foundation Focused on Feeding Families Tour to make donations to six local food pantries. Some statistics on hunger in Wisconsin might answer the question of why Muskego has a …
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
A first-ever open house provides a glimpse of what charity looks like for many, but empty shelves could threaten.
It was a warm gathering on a cold night, and the message of welcome was also mixed with a plea for continued support as the Muskego Food Pantry opened its doors for a community open house. The idea was to show their thanks for Muskego residents who have given over the past two years, and to also ask for continued help as the shelves in the main 'shopping area' that more than 3000 families used in 2012 were low on inventory. Originally housed in a small space at Salentine Buick, the pantry moved into much larger facilities in 2010 and as of last year employed nearly 4,800 hours in volunteer labor, and purchased an additional $41,000 in food. The pantry has scaled back on non-food purchases because of the tough economic times, but features …
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Learn about the mission, and what happens to your food donations, by taking a tour at Muskego's all-too-busy food pantry.
You've no doubt seen the food barrels at area businesses and likely you have been a generous donor to them, but the Muskego Food Pantry is hoping that you'll take them up on an invitation to see where it goes from there. "We're out in the public at events like Jammin' on Janesville, but we'd like for people to stop by and see our facilities, take a tour and appreciate what our mission here is, and how important their support has been," said coordinator Wendy Gajewski. The shelves were full for the holidays, she said, but all-too quickly have become bare again. "It's more than a once-a-year thing, we have people who are here every week," Gajewski explained. The pantry serves on average 75 - 80 families on a regular basis, and because of …
Monday, December 24, 2012
The list of candidates was impressive and showed a lot of thought on your part. Amazingly, these are the runners up, all of them deserving in their own right for their heart and dedication to what they do.
There weren't a ton of responses to our call for who your Person of the Year would be, but the names that came in are all so deserving. Thanks to those who took a moment to name their candidates. I also want to thank the sweet reader who wanted to nominate me. However, while what I do is certainly more than a job to me, it pales in comparison to the following list: Rob Glazier - "Rob has served on the Community Development Authority for the past 10 years and is the current Chairman of that organization. He has been a very active leader in the Boy Scouts, various school district panels and committees," explained one reader. "You will also catch Rob at various committee and board meetings that he has no obligation to attend." Glazier was …
Monday, December 17, 2012
Girls basketball players from throughout the area competed in the second annual tournament at Muskego High School that helped raise food for families in need.
Forty girls basketball teams from throughout the area were at Muskego High School this weekend to compete in the second annual "Hoops for Hope" Basketball Tournament. Teams in fourth through eight grades participated in the two-day event, which was hosted by Muskego Warriors Girls Basketball. Those in attendance were offered $1 off the price of admission for bringing in a food item that was donated to the Muskego Food Pantry.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Along with a game v. Catholic Memorial, football senior players are hosting a food drive Sept. 21.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
- Denise Konkol
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Wednesday, September 19, 2012
The Muskego High School Football seniors will be hosting a “Muskego Football Frenzy Food Drive” to benefit the Muskego Food Pantry this Friday, Sept. 21 at their home game against Catholic Memorial. "The seniors are putting this together to give back to the community that has supported them for the past four years," said Gretchen Sindic, football mom. Collection bins will be located directly outside the main gate at InPro stadium, and players will gladly accept monetary donations on behalf of the food pantry as well. Gates generally open around 6 p.m., with a 7 p.m. game start.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
A great response from vendors has meant just a few outdoor spots remain available, but also means that fair goers have plenty to see, eat and do Sept. 22.
Last year's annual craft fair at the Muskego Old Settlement Centre was rainy, but kept crowds coming anyway, and with a chilly but sunny forecast, planners are excited to return this year with a bigger event. Laura Mishefske, a member of the Muskego Historical Society which organizes the event, says they are expecting more than 50 crafters to sell their wares, inside and out, rain or shine. "We have everything from pottery, textiles, floral, greeting cards and wood crafts spread throughout the grounds," she said. In addition, grill food will be served up along with Sweet Delights Kettle Corn and an old fashioned bake sale for the perpetually hungry. Tractor driven hay rides will also be offered around the grounds, and kids can enjoy …
Denise Konkol
4:30 pm on Monday, May 20, 2013
Nancy - I'd check with the food pantry directly. I'm sure they are always looking for volunteers. more ›