Four Brookings service organizations – each with its own strong legacy of community as well as global service – will combine efforts for the first ever “Celebrate Community” collaboration to address food insecurity and household needs of area residents.
Participating are the Brookings Kiwanis, Brookings Lions, Brookings Optimists and Brookings Rotary clubs.
The weeklong event will take place Sunday through Saturday, Oct. 10-16. A truck donated by Century 21 Krogmann & Co. will be parked in the 22nd Avenue lot of the Brookings radio stations, where community donors may drop off non-perishable food items, baby care supplies including diapers and wipes and cleaning supplies. The truck will be available for donations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.
The donations will be sorted by members of the service clubs and delivered to the Brookings Food Pantry, Salvation Army and Harvest Table for distribution to those in need.
“Celebrate Community” is supported by the international leadership of all four organizations to maximize the outcome of the project and have the greatest impact on community need.
“This inclusive project fits the needs of our community and is of interest to the majority of the membership in our organizations,” said Sally Damm Norby, representing the Optimists and Lions. “By teaming up we can magnify our impact in the Brookings area.”
Brookings Rotarian Darla Biel concurred. “This is a wonderful example of how the Brookings community works together. It’s the type of project that everyone can participate in easily and address a real need in our community.” Biel noted that the 2021-22 Rotary theme is “Serve to Change Lives.”
Lion Paul Fixen agreed. “This is a very efficient and effective approach to addressing a priority need of our community and to participating in a global cause of Lions International and for practicing our motto ‘We serve’!”
All unexpired non-perishable food items are welcome, as well as disposable diapers and baby wipes and cleaning supplies of all types.
Club leaders encourage all community members to consider donating to help “Stuff the Truck!” Oct. 10-16.
Representatives of local service club organizations meet to plan details for the upcoming collaborative “Celebrate Community” Oct. 10-16. The community-wide project will collect non-perishable food items, baby care products and cleaning supplies for distribution to those in need. Pictured from left are Sally Damm Norby (representing Optimists and Lions), Darla Biel and Kay Norton (Rotary), Carol Thomas (Optimists) and Paul Fixen (Lions).