10 Days of Giving First Gift of Food 2022
(KWNO)-Merchants Bank has started its 34th annual “10 Days of Giving” food drive, which will officially run from December 1st through the 10th. The annual event is set to continue benefiting the food shelf programs at Winona Volunteer Services (WVS). In its first 33 years, more than four million pounds of food were collected.
Sandra Burke, WVS Executive Director, presented the ceremonial first gift of food to the food shelf on behalf of local students Addyson Brink and Canaan Singer. This year’s campaign is being led by co-chairs Dave Pierret and Chris Thrune, who were also in attendance.
Burke said, “There is still a need in our community, with Winona Volunteer Services serving 2,362 unduplicated individuals in 2021. The 10 Days of Giving food drive is critical each year as it brings in the resources we need to keep up with food shelf demand well into the next calendar year.”
During the 2021 “10 Days of Giving” campaign, 272,162 pounds of food were collected. Each dollar donated allows two pounds of food to be brought onto the food shelves. Financial donations, even small ones, are of significant importance, as those donations allow WVS to purchase food at a discount to stock the organization’s shelves. For instance, WVS can pay just $15 to acquire 100 pounds of food valued at $50 through resources such as the regional food bank.
“Getting the word out about how Winona Volunteer Services serves our county is central to the success of this drive. It’s important for community members to know what programs are offered, take advantage when they need it, and then give back when they are in a position to do so,” said Andrew Guzzo, Merchants’ Chief Banking Officer and Regional President (Winona).
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