This year’s program will help even more community agencies
TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
“The Big Fill” of Merrill’s Gazebo is set for August 7 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon. Historically, the “Fill the Gazebo” event has been all about collecting donations of non-perishable food items or cash, with the donated items and funds raised being split equally among the three food pantries in town: The Merrill Community Food Pantry, the Trinity Open Hearts Food Pantry, and the New Testament Church Food Pantry. In addition, the community is asked to support the Food For Kids program with donations made payable specifically to Food For Kids, funds that are guaranteed to be used for the purchase of food for kids to take home in their backpacks for the weekend during the school year.
This year the program has been expanded to include several other community agencies who also hope to receive donations of cash or material goods. They are: Haven, the Mac Home, and St. Vincent de Paul Outreach Center. This is in addition to the food pantries and Food For Kids.
“We hope to have a successful drive, as we usually do, with the generous people in our Merrill community,” a statement from the Fill the Gazebo committee said. “Non-perishable items may be brought to the gazebo that day, or if you prefer a check, make your check out to the Community Food Pantry. This money will be divided after the drive. If you would like to donate to Food For Kids, please be sure to make your check payable to “Food For Kids.”