APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – On Easter Sunday, hundreds of volunteers and organizers came together to feed Fox Valley families.
But just a few weeks ago, organizers weren’t sure there would be a meal at all.
“In our thirty years, and unfortunately both of them have been on Easter, where we’ve run short on funds,” explained Ed Rathshack.
Then, Rathshack tells FOX 11 several donors stepped up.
“And the next thing I know I’m getting a phone call from a lady saying ‘you’re doing Easter dinner’.”
He’s the “We Care” meal coordinator, an event that provides a holiday meal every year for those in need.
He says several people and businesses donated to the cause, so they could put on Sunday’s meal.
“I’m pretty much at a loss for words right now,” said Avery Watkins.
He came to the day’s meal with his three kids. And tells FOX 11 pulling off something like this reflects the community he lives in.
“It’s a lot more people here that care than you actually give credit for.”
Organizers hope a hot plate and conversation can give people from all backgrounds the things money can’t buy.
“It doesn’t buy you friendship it doesn’t help you with the loneliness,” said Rathshack.
Both organizers and volunteers say they want to make this event as inclusive as possible.
That’s why Terri Baumgartner, a volunteer, tells FOX 11 this meal stands out.
“It’s not affiliated with any church or group. You get a very uniquely diverse group of people helping out to volunteer and it really drew us for that matter.”
Usually, the volunteers bring in a single bag of candy to put in bags for the people who come to the meal.
But Baumgartner and her husband had a different idea.
“We decided to take it a little step further and put together bunches and bunches of Easter baskets so that way the kids got a little bucket to dig through and find some little treasures.”
Baumgartner put together over 180 of those buckets.
