St. Patrick's Day Parade: "Helping our Food Pantries"

Our local food banks are serving more than double the number of families since 2021, and they struggle to meet the need. They, and the people they serve, are being driven to the edge.

In Wisconsin alone, more than 415,000 people are facing hunger, including 161,000 children.

Overall food prices rose almost 12% from 2021 to 2022. Eggs rose 32%, while 11 food categories rose more than 10%.

Then there are the looming cuts to SNAP benefits. The temporary boost in food stamp benefits during the pandemic is set to end this month. When these emergency allotments end, households will see their benefits drop between $95 & $355 per month.

Benefiting Pantries include:

• St. Thomas Aquinas Food Pantry
• Caldwell United Methodist Food Pantry
• Community United Methodist Church

Items Desired

• Non-perishable food items
• Dish & laundry soap, toothbrushes & toothpaste, paper goods
• Cash donations always welcome

How can You Help?

Be a part of the parade with your Irish-themed float or your musical group lilting Irish tunes.

Prizes include: $200 for 1st place, $100 for 2nd place and $50 for 3rd place

Or, you can bring the family to watch the parade along with your food bank donations. The Lions Club float will pick up donations along the parade route and in the MobCraft Beer parking lot.

Alternatively, there will be a Drive thru Food Drop-off southwest of MobCraft Beer (old firehouse) from 5 pm – 9 pm (enter from Division Street).

Post Parade "Party on 2nd St." 7pm – 9pm

• MobCraft Beer
• Big O’s Corned Beef & Cabbage

St. Patrick's Day is a favorite holiday in the U.S because of the million-plus Irish who came here to escape The Great Hunger. Now in our own Wisconsin communities, we are seeing a great deal of hunger. What better way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day than with a parade that fills some empty food pantry shelves, followed by a street party!