Just in time for Christmas, 360 turn out to WAFER’s monthly “food fair,” where more than just food was given away

A bit different, this month, the “food fair” WAFER holds for those in need.

Last weekend saw 360 vehicles turn out to pick up a box of dry goods, frozen food, personal care items, toys and books at both the La Crosse and West Salem locations.

“The goal was to get great product to families and we did just that,” WAFER executive director Erin Waldhart said. “It was a really great day and we are super pleased with the turnout.”

The WAFER Food Pantry holds these events the fourth Saturday each month — though this month was a week earlier due to Christmas.

This month’s was also a bit different because  Feed the Children out of Oklahoma was able to bring those toys and books to distribute in time for the holidays.

Waldhart noted that there were some leftover.

“We will be distributing to local agencies that serve a similar population and to folks coming through to get food this week,” she said, adding that anyone still looking for those types of items could call WAFER to see if any are still available.

While WAFER does these “food fairs” each month, and those in need can always hit up the pantry for those items, another part of Waldhart’s mission is to bring awareness to the La Crosse community that WAFER does a lot of other things, including nutrition education, a mobile unit that hits 18 different sites throughout the county and a delivery program for seniors.

All anyone has to do is check out the website, stop into WAFER or give them a call.