Spring Break
Volunteers secret ingredient to food pantry success
Alex Koldeway
Issue date: 11/28/07 Section: News
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Marilyn Kienbaum, a volunteer at the Whitewater food pantry, said increased demand hasn't been a problem for them. The pantry was able to help 140 people who signed up for Thanksgiving assistance. Families received turkey or chicken, and some families also received help with regular monthly groceries.
"We're doing very well," she said. "Between the university, the local schools and the people that live here it's amazing."
Kiebaum said Interim Chancellor Richard Telfer made a donation of 20 turkeys for Thanksgiving.
The food pantry is located on the second floor in the Old Armory at 146 E. North St. It is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., or by appointment.
Kienbaum said the pantry will be taking the names of children from families requesting Christmas dinner supplies so the Optimist Club can purchase gifts for them. She said Christmas should be even more successful than Thanksgiving because the pantry is already getting food for the upcoming hoilday.
Kienbaum said UW-Whitewater is a big part of the reason for the pantry's success. Students also volunteer to work at the pantry as part of a community service graduation requirement.
"Wells Halls came in with a great big bin full of food," she said. "They brought $300 worth of food. We like the student volunteers because most of them can reach the top shelf."
Kienbaum said working in the food pantry is a unique experience.
"We say you haven't lived until you've volunteered here," she said. "People bring in the strangest things sometimes, like cranberry ketchup."
Kienbaum said the 18-20 people that regularly volunteer are wonderful.
"They're just good people," she said. "Businesses would love to have these kinds of employees."
Donations to the food pantry can be made by giving groceries, cash or by volunteering.
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