BONDUEL, WI (WTAQ) – A Bonduel business is selling fruits and veggies for a good cause on Thursday.
Porter’s Patch is busy throughout the summer offering a wide selection of fresh produce.
“We have tomatoes, cucumbers, maple syrup, strawberry jams, relishes,” explains owner Troy Porter.
He hopes that Thursday will be their busiest day of the year, since 100-percent of money spent is going to the Diemel family.
Brothers Nick and Justin Diemel have not been heard from since the morning of July 21st when they traveled to a farm in Missouri.
Most recently, authorities in Clinton County revealed that they have found human remains in their death investigation.
Porter says the entire process has been heartbreaking and they’re simply trying their best to help out those impacted.
“Sooner or later the healing process has to start,” he explains. “I’m not saying people will totally heal from it, because they won’t, but hopefully we can start that process and play our part.”
The entire area has been hurting throughout this time, especially considering how wide-ranging the families reach is.
“We’ve probably employed over five-hundred kids here and a lot of them are from those families or all the loved ones that are involved in all this,” says Porter.
In addition to purchasing fresh produce, a big draw at Porter’s Patch is the ability to go out and pick your own berries.
Right now it’s peak blueberry picking season, which is an activity that Porter believes can provide a sense of therapeutic relief to the community.
“It’s peaceful and then you’re usually having a conversation with someone,” he explains. “That’s why I just thought it seemed like a perfect fit.”
In a perfect world, he hopes they get picked clean and the Diemel’s can receive a financial gift to help them navigate the uncertain future.
“I know we’re going to sell out basically everything, there’s no doubt in my mind,” he says.
Porter’s Patch is typically open from Noon until 4 p.m., but they’ll be opening the doors at 10 a.m. on Thursday in order to get a jump start on the day’s event.
