By Michael S. Hoey
Correspondent
Employees at Delavan law firm Thorpe & Christian delivered 35 boxes that contained Thanksgiving food to families in Delavan, Darien and Elkhorn last week.
The firm spent more than two months planning and then distributing boxes of food and other items to local families in need on Nov. 26 for Thanksgiving.
“We live in the community, we want to be a part of the community, and we want to give back to the community that supports us so well,” attorney Dale Thorpe said.
The firm has had the Thanksgiving food drive for three years, and Thorpe said it has gotten bigger each year. This year, the firm put together about 35 baskets and was prepared to put together a few more at the last minute if the need arose.
“The firm is not set up to store food,” Thorpe said. “But we put together as many baskets as we can.”
The firm collects all the food a family would need for a traditional Thanksgiving meal and includes gift bags for the kids with toys, coloring books and other items.
“We try to make it a respectful gift or a thank-you rather than a handout,” Thorpe said. “It is something to uplift them.”
The firm’s 14 employees and their children decorate ach box. Thorpe said it would be cheaper and easier just to throw a basket together and give it away, but his firm takes the extra step so the baskets genuinely look like gifts. The employees and their families delivered the baskets last week to Delavan, Darien and Elkhorn.
Thorpe said some people are very proud, so his firm always calls people whose names have been provided by local churches, food pantries, or government officials to be sure they are willing to accept the gift. Some people hear about the food drive and come in on their own asking to be included. Thorpe said he has heard and seen some sad stories that reflect how much in need some people living in the community are in.
Thorpe said many people have helped provide names or physically helped with the drive. He said Alderman Ryan Schroeder and Mayor Mel Nieuwenhuis in particular have been very helpful.
Thorpe said the drive would not be successful without the help of Walmart. Thorpe said Walmart gives the firm big discounts and is a great help in placing orders and getting great prices.
“They have given everything we have ever asked for,” Thorpe said. “They have made it possible for the drive to get bigger each year.”
Thorpe said his firm is not looking for recognition, it is just doing its part to help the community.
“If this prompts others to do the same, it is a good thing,” Thorpe said.
