LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW) - Mayors Matt Harter of La Crosse and Joe Chilsen of Onalaska helped make lunches for the Salvation Army's "Feed the Kids" program.
The program provides meals for children who are members of lower income families relying on free or reduced lunches during the school year.
Volunteers meet every weekday, packing between 350 and 400 lunches.
Today 15 workers finished the job in just 30 minutes.
Organizers say they invited the mayors so they could see the hard work volunteers contribute every day.
"They just are doing a fantastic job. They are organized; they're on top of things. They're getting all these lunches out to kids every single day," said Julie Nelson, public relations director for Salvation Army. "There's no way we could do this without the help of the volunteers. "
Nelson is encouraging more people to volunteer, hoping they'll follow the mayors' example. She says they need volunteers particularly Wednesday-Friday for the lunch program.
"When you think of all the services that happen for people, a lot of it comes through volunteering. And there just aren't enough staff people to be able to provide all those," Nelson said. "So volunteers are just key to everything we do around here."
"Feed the Kids" will continue delivering lunches through August.
The program still needs volunteers and donations, and they are especially low on juice boxes.
If you'd like to help or donate, call (608)-782-6126.
