Feed a Family donations good, but area needs more support

Published 3:22 pm Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Donations to the fourth annual Feed a Family fundraiser are coming along, but there’s still a need for more as area organizations hope to feed 700 to 900 local families this Christmas.

“The donations have been really strong this year,” said Todd Hepler, manager at Hy-Vee of Austin. “We’re about 40 percent of the way there, but we really do feel the need is going to be greater this year.”

The store, which raised $10,800 and fed 500 families on Christmas last year, hopes to raise $15,000 this year in response to a rising need in the community.

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Hepler reiterated that residents who donate $10 will end up providing about $40 worth of food for families.

The Feed a Family program, through the Austin Salvation Army, provided a $40 meal last year, which included a 12 to 15-pound Hy-Vee turkey, a pumpkin pie, rolls, canned vegetables, a pound of butter, Mrs. Jerry’s mashed potatoes and Mrs. Jerry’s cranberry relish.

“We take $10 and turn it into $40 worth of food,” Hepler said.

The dinners will be distributed the Friday before Christmas. Area organizations including Mrs. Jerry’s, the Mower County Dairy Association, Westminster Presbyterian Church, the Austin Bruins and others are seeking $15,000 in funding this year. Residents can donate at Hy-Vee, and many area churches will also accept donation. Hepler noted Feed a Family has already helped people this season, as 14 Blooming Prairie families received Thanksgiving dinners this year.