A tradition of giving

A tradition of giving Christmas meals to area families continued for the seventh straight year Monday, and the program could grow in coming years.

From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., about 70 volunteers gathered at Hy-Vee as part of the Feed A Family Program to give away about 693 meals to Austin families, plus about 30 to 40 meals given out in towns like Brownsdale and Blooming Prairie.

“We’re really trying to do everything we can to just try to help out as many people as we can,” Hy-Vee manager Todd Hepler said.

Though Feed A Family served about the same number of meals as last year, Hepler said this was the first year some meals went to area communities, as churches and groups requested help for families.

With Hy-Vee on the cusp of completing a deal to build a new grocery store at the Oak Park Mall site, Hepler foresees Feed A Family’s reach growing in coming years.

“I would really like to see us expand that,” Hepler said. “As we raise more money, I really think we do need to start thinking of not just our own community, but maybe some of these other smaller communities that don’t have the opportunity to do some of the fundraising that we have here.”

Hepler said Hy-Vee could start some other programs to give back to the community once the new store opens.

The idea for Feed A Family sparked at KAUS Radio, and Hy-Vee, the Salvation Army, and several donors and sponsors soon came on board. Since the Salvation Army is busy with other drives during the holiday season, leaders like case manager Lori Espe were pleased to see other groups take on the Christmas meal program.

“It’s such a busy time for us. This is a blessing,” Espe said.

Now, families sign up through the Salvation Army and receive a meal worth $56 to $57.

“It kind of gives you a true spirit of the holiday time and giving,” Hepler said. “This is giving.”

Bonnie and Bill Newell volunteered at the event for the seventh straight year.

“We’re kind of the old standbys,” Bill said. “Been here a long time, and we enjoy it so much. It’s something to do on a dark dreary day, plus there’s a lot of need.”

Bill admitted he hoped the need would have decreased — not increased — over the years. The Newells volunteered for the entire give-away on Monday, and the Newells hope to volunteer again next year.

McKinzie Smith, 21, an ambassador with the Mower County Dairy Association, volunteered for her second time at the give-away.

“I just think it’s a really great event,” said Smith, an Adams native majoring in dairy science management at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Marian Newton, of Albert Lea, volunteered with other workers from the Cooperative Response Center. She enjoyed seeing people walking in the door with smiles on their faces to receive their Christmas dinners.

“I love it,” she said.

All the food not picked up Monday is available for pickup at the Salvation Army. All volunteers receive a meal from the Hy-Vee kitchen during their time volunteering.

Each meal includes:

• A Hormel Cure 81 ham

• Sara Lee (Bimbo Bakeries) brown and serve rolls

• Mrs. Gerry’s Mashed potatoes

• Mrs. Gerry’s cranberry relish

• Two cans of vegetables

• Homestyle Sara Lee pie

• A Hy-Vee salad

• 2 packages Kraft cheese

• 1 pound of butter from Mower County Dairy Association.

Meal value: About $56 to $57

Serves: Four people

Other sponsors: Bernatello’s Pizza, Precision Signs and KAUS Radio.