Fill the Gazebo collects over 1,000 pounds of food, $10,000 for local pantries

The annual Fill the Gazebo event collected 1,092 pounds of food, personal hygiene items, and paper products, along with more than $10,000 in monetary donations, organizers announced.
The event was held Jun. 13, 2026, at Normal Park in Merrill from 9 to 11 a.m.
Donated goods were packed into boxes provided by Church Mutual and distributed among four local organizations. The Merrill Community Food Pantry, Trinity’s Open Hearts Food Pantry, and New Testament’s His Hands Extended Food Pantry each received 20 boxes, while the Food for Kids Program received two boxes of items suitable for the program. The monetary donations were divided among the same four organizations.
Cheryl Buck, a member of the Fill the Gazebo committee, credited the event’s success to local businesses, organizations, and volunteers who supported the effort.
Businesses and organizations that hosted collection boxes or made monetary donations included A&W, Eagles Aerie 584, Breaman Merrill Ford, Merrill Lions Club, Nicolet Bank, Park City Credit Union, Bell Tower, Crossbridge Community Bank, Shady Acres Market, Westside Market, Culver’s, St. Stephens UCC, New Testament Church, Ascension Episcopal Church, and Our Saviours Lutheran Church.

Volunteers who helped set up the gazebo, pack food, and carry boxes included Bryce Jirovec, Tammy Klade, Mary Ann Kufahl, Connie Kleinschmidt, Diane Perry, Randy Perry, Stan Seeger, Debbie Seeger, Dan Pick, and Bryan Weisenfeld.
Organizers also thanked WJMT Bluejay 730 Radio and Paul Hohman for promoting the event.
The Fill the Gazebo committee includes Cheryl Buck, Carolyn Pittman, Christine Schult, Carla Weisenfeld, Michele Moyer, and Pam Hohman.