Goodman Center sees record for first day of Thanksgiving Basket registration (Wisconsin)

Channel 3000 News ^ | October 18, 2022 | Kyle Jones

[Diana in Wisconsin]

MADISON, Wis. — The Goodman Community Center set a new record Monday for first-day registrations for its Thanksgiving Basket Drive.

Organizers said 2,911 families and individuals signed up for the drive. About 2,400 families and individuals signed up to receive a basket on the first day of registration last year.

The Center wants to make sure 4,000 Dane County families have a Thanksgiving dinner this year. After one day of registration, they’re over halfway to reaching their goal.

“I’m not surprised that so many people have already registered for a basket this year,” Food Pantry Manager Francesca Frisque said. “Families’ income just doesn’t stretch as far as it used to, and for many, a holiday meal isn’t in the budget this year.”

Registration is set to run through October 28 but may end early if the center reaches full capacity. The center is working with the Madison Metropolitan School District to find families in need, and the registration process is offered in English, Spanish and Hmong.

“Our registration line was ringing off the hook yesterday, and we expect that to continue,” center CEO Letesha Nelson said. “We’re so thankful for the volunteers who are willing to help field the calls and answer questions.”

You can find more information on the drive or register for a basket at the Goodman Community Center’s website. You can also register by phone at 608-204-8018, Monday through Friday, from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“I’m not surprised that so many people have already registered for a basket this year,” Food Pantry Manager Francesca Frisque said. “Families’ income just doesn’t stretch as far as it used to, and for many, a holiday meal isn’t in the budget this year.”

And WHY would THAT BE, Francesca? There NEVER seems to be any cause and effect with those that give away the foodstuffs.

How about this for your phone answering machine?

"We're sorry. We're unable to GIVE YOU a Free Turkey Dinner this season because there just ain't any! Brandon has wrecked America. You're on your own."

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Curious if others would share their local food pantry/holiday give-away stories?

We can’t be the only ones.

Our Food Pantry (for a SMALL county of 20K people and a LOT of cows) has seen a HUGE uptick in use this past year.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

:: “Families’ income just doesn’t stretch as far as it used to, and for many, a holiday meal isn’t in the budget this year.” ::

[leaning conservative]

That’s about our county....size wise. I always pick up a few things when I shop & we deliver to our food pantry every couple of months.

I’m sure Joe’s family won’t be hurting for turkey & all the fixings come thanksgiving 🤯😡

[AceMineral]

Last year we got a surprise visit from Church People. It was about a week before Thanksgiving. Confused my mother no end. She had a hard time keeping up with what day it was. When Thanksgiving Day actually came around I had to explain what happened. The dinners we got from the Church People weren’t very good. Everything was drowned in gravy.

This year I going for Cornish hen.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“This year I’m going for Cornish hen.”

Two stories: When Beau and I were dating, we went to a Sheep Farm for the day to see how wool yarn was made, start to finish. They also sold ‘organic’ roasting birds. We bought one before we realized how expensive and HUGE it was going to be. $37 dollars! That thing weighed 8 pounds, so we saved it for Christmas Dinner. It. Was. Awesome. And leftovers for WEEKS! ;)

#2 - I have a ‘Turkey Loin’ in the freezer; bought it weeks back when the initial rumblings of turkey shortages for this season were starting. They take the big breast and roll it and tie it into something that looks like a pork loin.

I think I’ll wrap it in BACON before roasting; just to make sure it’s juicy enough. ;)