Westosha Lakes Free Church partners with local high schools for Thanksgiving

By Gail Peckler-Dziki

Correspondent

Westosha Lakes Free Church began in 2005 as “Westosha Lakes Worship” and met in Central High School.

Soon, it grew large enough to call Jeff Talbert as pastor. More good fortune came its way when Grace Valley Church gave the young church its building at 24823 74th Street and joined their church family.

Westosha has carried on the food pantry called Helping Hands started by Grace Valley and added an important component –maintaining a partnership with Central High School and continuing to serve the school. One main aspect of that service is Thanksgiving and this is the third year for this program.

Church elder Mike Cassity talked about that program at the recent Central High School board meeting. After meeting, he explained in more detail for The Report.

“We work with the Student Council, the Key Club and the Honor Society,” he said. “We realized that the number of families who utilize the free and reduced lunch programs is large and that’s the group we serve.”

Westosha has widened the circle this year and is including Wilmot High School families. Westosha Food pantry director Scott Sobzcak is working with Wilmot assistant principal Jim Paddlock.

Area businesses have been strong partners. They include

Westosha Floral, Subway in Paddock Lake, Parrish and Freitag, Midwest Dental, Alliant Physical Therapy, American Muffler & Automotive, Albany Chicago, Larry’s Barber Shop, Heidi’s Bakery, Collins Automotive, Rau Salon, Best Bargains, Julie’s Hair, Bodes Bake Shop, Chicago Dog and Grill, Avon Products and Olive Garden.

Talbert said Christ Lutheran in Paddock Lake and New

Life Bible Church in Twin Lakes have also joined the effort. “We see this program as a catalyst to bring the community together. This is also the first time that both high schools have worked on a common project. Pooling resources benefits everyone.”

“We want to follow Jesus’ example,” Talbert continued.

“He not only saves people, He also heals them. And He cares for everyone, both those who believe in Him and those who don’t.”

The desire is to serve as many families as possible. Cassity said that recipient information is confidential.          “The school gives the letters, confidentially, to the families that have agreed to contact like this so they can sign up. If a family doesn’t receive a letter by Nov. 7, just contact the free and reduced coordinator at the school to get a letter and sign up.”

Recipients contact the school free and reduced lunch coordinator and give the number of family members. The family is then assigned a number for the food boxes.

Food is purchased at the Northern Illinois Food Bank for pennies per pound. Lakeside SuperValu sells frozen roasting chickens at cost. This year, the Central Student Council has donated $1,800 for the event. Area residents who wish to donate can send checks to Westosha Lakes Church, 24823 74th Street, Salem, 53168. Write Helping Hands on the memo line to direct the donation. Anyone who wishes to volunteer for the distribution can call Westosha Lakes Church at (262) 843-1948.

`Distribution is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 18.

Students and other volunteers will work from 2:45 p.m. until 6 p.m. to unload food from semi trucks and repack the food for distribution. Recipients will arrive at 6 p.m. and church members with no affiliations to either school will bring packages out to cars.

Last year this program served 177 Central families and 50 church families. There were about 150 volunteers who helped with dist


Posted

in

by

Tags: