ELKADER, Iowa (KCRG) — Wilke’s Marketplace is nearing a remarkable milestone: 1,000 food bag donations to the Clayton County Food Shelf.
Lori Burns, who has been with Wilke’s for seven years, explains how it all works. When a customer buys a food bag, it provides a family of four with at least one meal. The program started just a year ago, and the community’s support has blown them away.
“We thought interest would fade after 100 bags,” Burns shared. “But people kept coming back. It’s just incredible.”
According to Utoni Ruff, Supervisor at the Clayton County Food Shelf, Wilke’s has collected 946 bags so far, which translates to nearly $15,000 in donations—about 5,000 pounds of food. “These bags are amazing! They really get the community involved,” Ruff stated. “It’s so simple for shoppers to donate at checkout.”
Ruff noted that Wilke’s generosity extends beyond this program, highlighting that the grocery store has donated nearly $25,000 to the food shelf since July 2024.
This support is crucial. The food shelf currently assists over 150 families, marking a 20% increase in demand from a few years ago. “It’s easy for everyone involved, except for the staff at Wilke’s who handle the logistics,” Ruff added.
Burns reassured that packaging the bags is manageable for them. “We’re a small store, but we’re thankful for the support. If it weren’t for the community, we wouldn’t be here,” she said. “It’s really restored faith in humanity.”
Community engagement in local giving has been growing. A recent survey showed that 75% of Americans want to support businesses that give back. Programs like this remind us that even small contributions can make a big difference.
For more on community initiatives in Iowa, visit KCRG.
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