Give thanks by helping neighbors in need
To help
To help sponsor a Thanksgiving meal—turkey, all the fixings and dessert—mail $25 to the ECHO office at 65 S. High St., Janesville, WI 53548. Make the check payable to ECHO Thanksgiving.
For help
Janesville residents who are income-eligible may apply now through Friday, Nov. 20, for the Thanksgiving basket at the ECHO office.
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Jeff Farrell and seventh-grader Blaine Phen decorate grocery bags Tuesday at Edison Middle School in preparation for ECHO’s annual Thanksgiving basket program. They were among Connections: Youth Mentoring, a project of the Janesville School District in partnership with Big Brothers, Big Sisters, which decorated 100 bags.
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Jay Winzenz decorates bags at Edison. More groups are needed to decorate bags through Nov. 19, when they need to be returned to the ECHO office, 65 S. High St., Janesville, for food distribution Saturday, Nov. 21.
JANESVILLE — With Rock County experiencing the highest unemployment numbers in Wisconsin, fewer local residents are able to afford putting a Thanksgiving Day meal on the table.
That's why ECHO is asking those who are blessed to give thanks by sharing their bounty and sponsoring holiday meals for the less fortunate.
The faith-sponsored charity expects to assist more than 1,200 low-income families with Thanksgiving baskets this year.
That's nearly 300 families more than the 916 families served in 2008, said Jessica Schafer, client advocate.
Need for food, lodging and gas vouchers by ECHO clients continue to increase with the ongoing struggling economy, she said.
Demand for "total services through the end of September compared to 2008 was up by 19 percent," Schafer said.
To help sponsor a Thanksgiving meal—turkey, all the fixings and dessert—a donation of $25 is needed.
Other help is needed, too, Schafer said.
Groups of people are wanted to decorate grocery bags between now and Thursday, Nov. 19, when they need to be returned to the ECHO office. Food that will make up the holiday meal will be put into the bags for distribution, she said.
Thanksgiving baskets can be picked up from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Rock County 4-H Fairgrounds.
Those who enjoy baking cookies or bars can package them by the dozen in plastic, sealable bags. Once they are baked and packed, they need to be delivered to the fairgrounds between 7 a.m. and noon Saturday, Nov. 21, or to the ECHO office from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Nov. 20.
Haulers, packers and distribution volunteers also are needed Saturday, Nov. 21, Schafer said.
Haulers will pick up groceries at Sentry West starting at 7 a.m. Then people are needed to unload groceries and assemble baskets from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the fairgrounds. Volunteers also are needed to carry groceries for people who need assistance from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
To help, call Fran Brien at the ECHO office at (608) 754-5333.
Nov 1, 2009 at 11:09 p.m.
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Thanks Hannah! I didn't notice it...guess I was thinking the side margin was the usual ad or a poll. Odd they wouldn't include it with the main article instead of tucking it off to the side in a miniscule font. I'll pop a check in the mail tomorrow. Thanks again! :)
Oct 31, 2009 at 10:04 a.m.
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Attn Ms. Birkelo.....in the future, include a mailing address for monetary contributions. If you want people to donate bucks, make it easy to get a check popped in the mail. (This is one of my pet peaves for these calls for help.) Many readers live out of town, but would still like to donate to local causes. Yeah, it would be great if donators could also be expected to take the time to look-up addresses or make a toll call, but they won't/don't.
Oct 30, 2009 at 8:10 p.m.
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vatoloco, That's a wonderful and generous gift from you and your family. Maybe you'll plant a seed of an idea in others. I know for a fact that lately there have been several students, and adults as well, who have asked for donations to food pantries in lieu of gifts at their own birthday celebrations. It allows everyone to have their cake, eat it too, and feed a few others in the process. An early Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Oct 30, 2009 at 8:45 a.m.
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And, for those of you that receive a free turkey or fruit basket from your employer please consider donated that to a local food pantry.
Oct 30, 2009 at 8:43 a.m.
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Just an idea. Since I am a bit more fortunate than others, instead of buying my kids gifts for Christmas that they will probably throw in a corner after 1 month, I am working with them to donate items to other less fortunate families. I hope this teaches them to appreciate what they have.
Oct 30, 2009 at 8:15 a.m.
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I just wrote my check out to sponsor a family for Thanksgiving. I hope everyone else does the same! If you can spare $25.00....help someone out in our community.
Oct 30, 2009 at 8:03 a.m.
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Be thankful for EHCO, Coats for kids etc etc etc, we did not have help in the 1930's, we survied by hunting, fishing and going hungry,
Oct 30, 2009 at 12:09 a.m.
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ShotgunWillie, you're ranting in a thread that has nothing to do with economic development. Please stay on topic.
Oct 29, 2009 at 11:04 p.m.
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This is not just affecting the ones who are use to doing without this is hitting the ones that never thought they would be where the people they have always helped are. My table will be a little less this year and I have always opened my door to many on the holidays and I will again this year but there won't be leftovers for my family and friends to take home. But we will share the spirit as we always have and be a family, that will not change. I to am one of the ones who lost a job along with many others and have had been down before but I know this will not last forever thou it seems like it. This one was a hard hit and will take time to come back but I have faith.
Oct 29, 2009 at 8:41 p.m.
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I would not mind a Wal-Mart paycheck.ANY job,EARNING a wage would give me those Million Dollar eyes.
Oct 29, 2009 at 8:25 p.m.
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janesvillean
You talk about that like it is a badge of honor? Like we do not have it that bad but just bad enough no employers will reside here.
** We are on a steep slope. We used to have a Big Brother (GM) who picked up our tab. He has left town, and now no one realizes that yet.
We still have Million Dollar eyes with a Walmart paycheck.
Oct 29, 2009 at 5:55 p.m.
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...yet the ones i speak of are using such for a short term problem.....HOPEFULLY
Oct 29, 2009 at 5:51 p.m.
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I have been laid-off since Aug.'08.Since about 2001 I volunteer at a local food pantry weekly.98% of clients are average,good,honest people who are humbled to be there.So little goes so far with these folks,the sigh of relieve is overwhelming to me.Trust me,They,we want to return to work,live a life,not exist on unemployment,or food pantrys.There will always be a need for pantrys,yet the ones I speak of are using such for a short term problem.
Oct 29, 2009 at 5:13 p.m.
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Janesville's net tax levy ranks 95th in the state, Mr. Portentous.
http://www.wistax.org/facts/Property%20T...
Oct 29, 2009 at 5:04 p.m.
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I can not believe Janesville is spending $2 Million dollars on a Ice Rink while these people suffer.
Oct 29, 2009 at 5:02 p.m.
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The taxing bodies of the City Council, City Manager Eric Levitt, the School Board, County board should all hang their heads in shame for what they have done to these poor people by placing high tax levies on them.
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