The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic, fraternal service order, reports demand for food is up at local pantries in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Doug Wildes, of the organization's Council #4648 (Brookfield) said that's why the Knights of Columbus decided to host a pair of food drives this month.
"We started to brainstorm on things we wanted to accomplish, and the idea came up to serve the poor and the needy," Wildes said. "We decided to do that through food."
To try and entice lots of people to donate, the Knights of Columbus is using its iconic boat at the collection sites.
"We have a boat we use as a float for parades," Wildes said. "But with all the parades canceled this year, why not use the boat for the food drive?"
"The boat has won some awards in the past for being in parades, so it's very recognizable," he added.
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Last weekend, volunteers collected food donations at St. John Vianney Catholic Parish in Brookfield.
Wildes said the food collected there will benefit the church's food pantry, as well as the food pantry at the Basilica of St. Josaphat on Milwaukee's South Side.
This weekend (July 18 and July 19) the Knights of Columbus will be collecting donations at St. Dominic Catholic Parish in Brookfield.
Wildes said those donations will benefit the Food Pantry of Waukesha County.
Wildes said this weekend's food drive will run from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Sunday.
He said items in need include: canned fruits, whole grain cereals, canned tuna, canned chicken, rice, chunky soups, canned pastas, soy milk, soaps, laundry detergents, and toilet paper.