A View of the Valley

by Linda Schwanke No man is an island. We humans need each other. Now, during the giving season, is a good time to remind ourselves of that. As we celebrate the holidays – whatever holidays in whatever way – gathering in gratitude and goodwill together in groups large and small, remember those in need.  Giving to others can be as simple as giving of your time. Give up your spot in line at Hometown to someone elderly. Help shovel a sidewalk. Walk a dog or watch a child for people who are so busy they don’t know where to turn. You can volunteer with the River Valley Volunteer Corps or ask them for help, call (608) 588-7428 or fill out the form at https://www.rivervalleycommons.org.  Remember our food pantries, too. Cheryl Larson started a food pantry in Plain recently. Call her to help out or donate at (608) 5085. To donate to the food pantry in Arena call Ray and Kristi Porter who can be reached at (608) 753-2169. In Lone Rock, director Bill Schwie is available for questions and donation information at (608) 553-2568. In Spring Green, send checks payable to the Community Food Pantry of Spring Green, Box 6, Spring Green, WI 53588. Donations are tax deductible. Call Lucy Bindl at (608) 574-8696 for information I saw the following on Facebook about food pantry donations. I wanted to share for all those who haven’t seen it: Everyone donates Kraft Mac and Cheese in the box. People can rarely use it because it needs milk and butter which is hard to get from regular food pantries. Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal, which they also get a lot of. Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles. People cannot eat all the awesome canned veggies and soup unless you put a can opener in, too, or buy pop tops. Oil is a luxury but needed for Rice a-Roni which people get a lot of. Spices or salt and pepper would be a real Christmas gift. Tea bags and coffee make people feel like you care. Sugar and flour are treats. People fawn over fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores. Seeds are cool in spring and summer because growing can be easy for some. People rarely get fresh meat. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch. Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef. People get lots of peanut butter and jelly but usually not sandwich bread. Butter or margarine is nice, too. Eggs are a real commodity. Cake mix and frosting makes it possible to make a child’s birthday cake. Dishwashing and laundry detergents are very expensive and always appreciated. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury and women will cry over that. Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing. Money is probably the single best thing to give to food pantries for those in need. The pantries have buying power that you and I don’t. They also know exactly what people need and want. No one should go hungry at any time of the year but that’s especially true at the holidays.  Another great way to give to those in need is via the Spring Green Area Chamber of Commerce. Through December 22, the chamber is running “Operation Hygiene” and looking for donations of shampoo and condition, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap and body wash, razors, brushes and combs, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry soap, new towels, socks and tennis shoes. Drop items off at the River Valley Early Learning Center, River Valley Elementary School, River Valley Middle School, Bowdatious Salon, Inspired Nutrition, Nina’s, Royal Bank, Trader’s Bar & Grill and the chamber office.  Please give what you can. Stay in touch. My phone number is (608) 574-3159 – call or text me anytime. You can also email me at homenewseditor@newspubinc.com or write to me at the Home News, P.O. Box 39, Spring Green WI 53588.  Visit our website at homenewsrv.com Get in touch with Gwen for sports or features at homenewssports@newspubinc.com. If you need a display ad, Dave Pronold can be reached at homenewssales@newspubinc.com or by calling him on his cell at 588-4777. Display ads, or ads that are in boxes, are due by 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. The classified ad deadline is noon Thursdays the week prior to publication for both the Buyer’s Guide and Home News. Classified rates are $13 for the first 10 words, then 30¢ per word for each additional word. Call (608) 767-3655 or email classifieds@newspubinc.com  Legal notices are due by 2 p.m. on Fridays, email them to legals@newspubinc.com Call the NewsPub central office at (608) 767-3655 for subscriptions and all other information Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, although afternoon hours can vary. Closed Fridays.