For thousands in Appleton their Christmas tradition is eating at the We Care Meals community feast. It’s a tradition that was in jeopardy over the last few years as they struggled to find a new location to host. Once again the Fox Cities community stepped up in finding a venue, this time at Riverview Gardens.
The We Care Meals group has been in the business, the non-profit business, of serving others for thirty years now. And their only getting better with age.
More than one thousand meals were doled out here at Riverview Gardens in person today. On top of that another thousand plus meals were delivered to those unable to travel. It was all orchestrated by more than 300 volunteers willing to give.
"It’s a good feeling that warms the heart when you give back to people that need it,” says David Martin a volunteer who brought his whole family with him today.
"I feel like I get a pretty fair return too. I enjoy seeing people’s faces light up or seem a little more chipper. Things like that. So I feel like I get a return back too," adds Elliott Mutschlecner a volunteer that was asked just to talk with anyone at a table alone.
But the event is so much more than just a warm meal for so many.
"It's important to not only give somebody something to eat but give them something to fill their soul too," adds Mutschlecner.
It's Christmas after all, and there are so many that long for that feeling of togetherness.
"It's the best place for a meal for people that are alone and just want to be with people," says Sue DeBrue of Appleton who came to the feast with a couple of friends.
"The feeding of the meals is a lot of hard work but the companionship and breaking of the isolation of the winter is really the goal," adds Ed Rothsack the We Care Meals group organizer.
So as the We Care Meals group wraps up another holiday, they've managed to do so much more than just provide a meal. They've provided the company that everyone wants on Christmas.
The We Care Meals group is still looking for a more permanent location in our region to host their Easter Sunday feast. They're always accepting suggestions from the community. You can reach out to the organizer, Ed Rothsack with suggestions at this number #920-731-7867.
