ECHO distribution will feed 2,400 people on Thanksgiving
Photo
Steve Geisler is in his third year volunteering on turkey duty at the ECHO-organized Thanksgiving food donation event at the Rock County 4-H Fairgrounds, this year helped by 10-year-old Megan Anderson, a second-year volunteer. Geisler said, "It's nice to see smiles and appreciation. I've seen people cry but a lot of smiles. This is what Thanksgiving is about."
By the numbers
The ECHO Thanksgiving food drive was held Saturday at the Rock County 4-H Fairgrounds in Janesville
-- 400-plus volunteers helping distribute food
-- 875 households provided with a tradition Thanksgiving Day turkey dinner
-- 2,443 Janesville residents in those 875 households (some families share households to help make ends meet)
-- 721 households served last year
-- 1,945 Janesville residents served last year
JANESVILLE — More than 2,400 Janesville residents will enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner next week thanks to Everyone Cooperating to Help Others and hundreds of volunteers who gathered Saturday to distribute the dinner ingredients.
‘We have more than 400 volunteers here today to help distribute food to the recipients and deliver to families who can’t make it here,” said Fran Brien, the ECHO volunteer coordinator overseeing the food distribution at the Rock County 4-H Fairgrounds. “We had drivers pick up food early this morning at Sentry west, and then all these volunteers came in to set up the distribution center.”
Boxes of stuffing and instant mashed potatoes along with cans of corn, beans and other food items were put into paper bags for distribution.
“We then provide shopping carts for recipients to get their turkeys, a bag of potatoes, bread and other items,” Brien said. “Also, every family gets a pumpkin pie, butter, milk and a dozen homemade cookies.”
Brien and her volunteers distributed 875 Thanksgiving meals. Each meal will feed four to six people.
“The 875 Thanksgiving baskets will feed 2,443 people,” said Jessica Schafer-Locher, an ECHO employee. “Many of our households have multiple families to help make ends meet.”
Recipients registered earlier in the week at ECHO for the baskets.
“To be eligible for a basket, recipients must be Janesville residents and meet the low-income requirement,” said ECHO employee Karen Zapotosky. “They present their voucher here today, and we help them assemble the food items for the basket.”
The volunteers include individuals and members of organizations, Brien said.
“We have 4-H club members, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, church groups—you name it.
“We also have students who are volunteering to meet their community service requirements,” Brien said. “It’s amazing how many volunteers come out to help.”
ECHO employee Cheryl Maveety coordinated home delivery efforts.
“We are delivering baskets to 242 families today,” she said. “These are folks who are homebound, have no means of transportation or are otherwise unable to come to the fairgrounds. We make sure they do not miss their Thanksgiving dinner.”
Hundreds of vehicles descended upon the fairgrounds starting at 9 a.m. It was up to ECHO’s Marge Sell to make sure things went smoothly.
From her station at the Craig Avenue entrance, Sell directed traffic.
“This entrance is for volunteer vehicles delivering baskets,” she said. “I’ve had to direct recipients to the Memorial Drive entrance. That’s caused some confusion, but we were able to get everyone where they belong.”
This year’s Thanksgiving food drive was termed a success by Schafer-Locher, who said 2012 exceeded last year’s effort.
“Last year we served 721 household baskets for 1,945 people,” she said. “This year we’re more than 800 households and 2,400 people.
ECHO Executive Director Karen Lisser coordinated Saturday’s distribution.
“Not only are we helping those people with needs, we are seeing a phenomenal outpouring of volunteers in our community,” Lisser said. “It’s very heartwarming.”
Nov 20, 2012 at 11:33 a.m.
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As the late God-fearing actor Danny Thomas said, "What you do for others is what really counts in life."
Mother Theresa's work, helping the poor, was the reason why she was the happiest person on this earth!
God's eyes move to and fro, looking for people with good hearts that are willing to help others. When you look into the eyes of a poor person, you are looking into the eyes of Jesus.
Nov 20, 2012 at 5:49 a.m.
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NICKSMOM - Regarding sounding "HARSH" with your comments on the needy---> It is actually good that you are able to share the feelings that many have. I am a supporter of Echo, Salvation Army, and other charitable groups. There are so many people in our area (and in the U.S.) that need food, shelter, amd medical care. I get lots of phone calls, mailings, etc always asking for help and it does seem like a lot so I can see how you feel. Best approach to all of this is to give even just a little because if everyone did it would be quite helpful. It might also be helpful to look at the various charities and how they are RATED by Better Business Bureau.
http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/natio...
Nov 19, 2012 at 10:50 p.m.
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nicksmom (and others): your reaction is certainly understandable when every day someone asks for another dollar for another charity. Abuses do happen, but there are still plenty of people who, no fault of their own, are in desperate situations. If you are unable to get on board with any of the charities that present themselves to you, then do some research and find one that has little waste and supports something that you care about. Personally I find that any charity that puts children first will always get my support. It's not the kids' fault that they are the offspring of loser parents. They shouldn't suffer because of those.
Nov 19, 2012 at 3:12 p.m.
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I was going to help but looked at the date and sorry work comes first. This is nice for people who NEED help.Mine I will put in my time and picked an angel.
nicksmom- I agree but I do my certain parts each year and that is it. The abuse is what I cannot stand. Hopefully the people getting more stuff aren't the abusers.
Nov 19, 2012 at 2:49 p.m.
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Almost 50M people on food stamps and there is a cry for more - echo - stuff the bus, family to family thanksgiving... I'm beyond sick of the charities looking for handouts. I know it sounds harsh, but I've had my fill and I know I'm not alone.
Nov 19, 2012 at 2:09 p.m.
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PLEASE remember to put some change in the RED Kettles this year. They will be all over the County. I have helped out for years with this and it is great when I take my Grandkids. This also is a real important thing to help people during the Holidays.
Nov 19, 2012 at 2:05 p.m.
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The point of the article is to report in a timely manner on an event that happened in Janesville that was attended by over 1000 people. Surely something like that is newsworthy, right?
Nov 19, 2012 at 12:40 p.m.
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Glad to hear of the success of this years Thanksgiving food drive.
Nov 19, 2012 at 11:40 a.m.
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Why does stupidity have to show up in the comments to take away from a good thing happening! Making political jabs at someone in an article about giving to the less fortunate has no place here. Show some class and if you don't have any, then just crawl under the rock you came from.
Nov 19, 2012 at 10:22 a.m.
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Thank you, ECHO, for a job well done.
Nov 19, 2012 at 12:11 a.m.
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@justforthefunofit, RYANS in the kitchen, waiting for the clean pots and pans , to show up.
Nov 18, 2012 at 10:33 p.m.
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ECHO helped me once 32 years ago. I've helped ECHO ever since. Everyone deserves some help sometimes.
Nov 18, 2012 at 9:57 p.m.
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Really Bob?! Unless you're totally kidding, you are a 100% knucklehead!
Nov 18, 2012 at 8:45 p.m.
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Wheres Paul Ryan, why isnt his picture here?
Nov 18, 2012 at 6:46 p.m.
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As one person has already said --->AMAZING! We owe them a big thank you for all they do. Regarding the point of the article comment - read it another 5 or 10 times and you will (hopefully) figure it out.
Nov 18, 2012 at 5:34 p.m.
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I've always found it funny that there are poor people that must not work that want to have a special Thanksgiving when there are people like me who could care less about Thanksgiving, we're just glad to have a day off from work and relax. Give me some brats and corn and I'll be just fine :)
Nov 18, 2012 at 4:40 p.m.
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ECHO is amazing...just AMAZING!
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