Donations, additional sponsors needed for food packaging event
By Heather Ruenz
editor
“In a world that produces more than enough food to feed everyone on the planet, why are millions of people going hungry? Sharing is caring and together we can make a bigger impact,” Morgan Radaj wrote on the proposal for her Girl Scout Gold Award project.
The first portion of that project is Do Something MobilePack, being coordinated by Radaj, 14, a freshman at Whitewater High School, and is set for April 2 at the school. It will feature hundreds of volunteers packaging 100,00 meals for malnourished children in more than 70 countries. But a project that will have such a big impact comes at a big cost, to the tune of $22,000.
Several donations have been made including two notable donations – $2,500 and $1,000 – by local Girl Scout troops. Killian Cook, a young boy donated the entire contents of his piggy bank, $53.95, to help Radaj bring the event to Whitewater. Other major sponsors thus far, who have donated or fundraised at least $1,000 include: First Citizens Bank, Whitewater Kiwanis, Living Word Fellowship Church, and M.A.D. Monday Mission.
While a number of other groups have shown interest in helping with the fundraising, Radaj said she will breathe a sigh of relief when all the money needed has been raised. If more than the minimum needed is raised, additional meals can be packaged and more volunteers will potentially be needed.
Realizing the importance of helping people locally, Radaj has helped coordinate several food collection drives at area fundraisers held by local groups for the event, including a canned food drive during the Christmas parade in Whitewater by area girl scouts.
Another example of local fundraising was a chili cookoff co-sponsored by M.A.D. Monday Mission and FLOOD, a middle school youth group at First United Methodist Church. The two groups worked together to prepare for and host the event and donated the money raised to Do Something MobilePack.
Radaj said she took on the task of inspiring the Whitewater community to back her goal and give 500-plus people the opportunity to be involved but she needs help. Any donation amount is welcome but those who commit to raise or donate a minimum of $1,000 by the April 2 event will be considered a major sponsor and included in advertising for the event.
Donations can be made out to: Feed My Starving Children (include “1604-018AU” in the memo section – so that the money is credited to the Do Something MobilePack event in Whitewater.) Mail checks to: Do Something MobilePack, UCC Church, 133 S. Franklin St., Whitewater, WI 53190.
Containers to collect donations are also available and already on counters at local businesses including Culver’s, GMA Printing, Jersey Mike’s Subs and Jessica’s Family Restaurant.
About the Gold Award
Radaj’s Gold Award project title is: Sharing is Caring. In her proposal she explains how the project will help others while uniting the local community.
“When a community unites and comes together, they inspire and motivate each other and the impact is greater. This project encourages the sharing of food, both locally and internationally,” she said in the proposal.
The second portion of Radaj’s project is to encourage local, backyard gardeners to share their fresh, unused produce in the spring and summer with the Whitewater Food Pantry by bringing those items to a drop box at the weekly Whitewater City Market held in the warmer months.
The Gold Award represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, recognizing girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through remarkable Take Action projects that have sustainable impact in their communities-and beyond. This prestigious award challenges girls to change the world—or at least their corner of it.
For more information, including viewing videos Radaj created about the project, to register to fundraise and set goals, or to request a donation container visit www.whitewaterucc.org/dosomething2016, www.facebook.com/dosomething2016 or send an email to WhitewaterMobilePack@gmail.com.
Upcoming event
The next fundraiser for Do Something MobilePack is scheduled for Jan. 16, and will be an After Christmas Rummage Sale. Radaj is encouraging local residents to start of the New Year by cleaning out and donating to the sale, and then shopping to pick up a few new items.
“We are so very fortunate to live in a country where we are able to get together with family and friends and exchange gifts. When Christmas is done and you are looking for a place in your house to put that new gift, but you need to get rid of a few things before doing so please consider donating those items to the After Christmas Rummage Sale. This year, turn those unused items into food,” Radaj said.
The sale will be held at the Congregational UCC Church, 133 S. Franklin St., Whitewater, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jan. 16 in the basement of the church.
Donations can be dropped off at the church at anytime prior to the sale and should be labeled “Morgan MobilePack.” All proceeds from the event will be donated to Do Something MobilePack.
