Produce Drive Nets Nearly 5K Lbs

10/3/11 – The Psychiatric Associates produce drive in Beaver Dam this summer collected a total of 4,795 pounds of food, more than four times the amount collected last year. The five-week drive dubbed “The Community Beating Hunger Food Drive” also included an estimated 1,000 pounds of corn, donated by the Beaver Dam Noon Kiwanis through coupons to redeem the free corn. Barrels for food collections, decorated by YMCA Camp youngsters, were placed strategically throughout Beaver Dam. The food has been given to the Beaver Dam Food Bank, part of Central Wisconsin Community Action Council (CWCAC), and the Dodge County Food Bank. Letty Castillo, administrator of the Beaver Dam Food Bank said visitors were delighted with the wide variety of produce contributed. There was a contest where donors were encouraged to guess the total weight to be collected this year. Jan Kok, Randolph, guessed 5,000 pounds. The next closest guess was 3,700 pounds. Officials with Psychiatric Associates, and its parent company Agnesian Healthcare, encourage the public to continue donating to local food pantries.

Individuals wishing to donate further to local food banks, the locations and hours follow: The Beaver Dam Food Bank, in the CWCAC building, located at 134 S, Spring Street is open for donations Monday through Thursday, 9am to 4:30pm, and Friday, 9am to 3pm. This food bank is open to distribute food on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:30pm to 3:30pm. The Dodge County Food Bank, located in the St. Vincent DePaul Building, at 316 S. Beaver Dam Food Bank is open Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 4pm. This food bank distributes food Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to noon.