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Community Corner

How to Give Back this Holiday Season

A guide to volunteering and donating locally this winter.

As you celebrate the people and things you value in your life this holiday season, you might find yourself wishing to give back some of your fortune to your community.

Beyond dropping spare change in the red kettle at your local grocery store, there are many ways to act on the holiday spirit of giving. Here are just some of the options.

Donate food and clothing

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Many food pantries are experiencing record numbers of visitors and hoping for an extra boost of giving around the holidays.

Cindy Hilgendorf, assistant director of Family Sharing, an Ozaukee County food pantry, said the pantry had a record number of patrons in November and she expects December to be equally busy. She said families are in especially great need of hats and mittens, and personal care items.

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Where to donate:

  • Family Sharing is accepting donations on site at 1002 Overland Ct. in Grafton. They accept any kind of food that has not expired, as well as clothing and personal care items.
  • employees are collecting food to support the Hunger Task Force. Anyone can drop off non-perishable food items at village buildings and times listed .Β 
  • in Whitefish Bay is collecting non-perishable food and clothing to donate to United Methodist Children's Services, Northcott Neighborhood House, and Repairers of the Breach. Anyone can drop off donations at the church office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, at 819 E. Silver Spring Dr.
  • A new food pantry at in Saukville is accepting donations at 166 W. Dekora St. You can also drop donations for the Saukville food pantry at .
  • Many grocery stores have collection boxes for non-perishable food. In Shorewood, and have collections for the Hunger Task Force. The in Whitefish Bay has a box for Feeding America. In Glendale, is collecting donations for the Hunger Task Force. The in Port Washington will bring donations to the Port Washington food pantry, which is down the road next to .Β 

Donate your time

If you don't have the money or supplies to donate, or you want to be more involved in the community, consider volunteering with one of the following organizations:

For many more options, contact the Volunteer Center of Greater Milwaukee or the Volunteer Center of Ozaukee County.

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