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Thanksgiving is a Time
for Giving

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Aurora Family-to-Family Thanksgiving

Traditionally, Thanksgiving is a time of coming together as a family and giving thanks. Each year, more than 12 million children across the United States go hungry because their families cannot afford food. In Milwaukee, levels of poverty double the national average with nearly 43% of children living below the federal poverty line. For thousands of disadvantaged and struggling families in our community, Thanksgiving is just another day of struggling to make ends meet and not having enough food to eat.

Since 1996, Aurora Family Service's Family-to-Family Thanksgiving Program has helped lift the spirits of families in Milwaukee during the holiday season. Celebrations and rituals can be powerful organizers of family life, but stressful when finances are tight. Aurora Family Service's Family-to-Family Thanksgiving program provides food and tools to help offer people stability during these challenging times.

A donation of $35 will provide a family with a complete set of groceries – 12 lb. turkey, foil roasting pan, bread, butter, potatoes, stuffing, vegetables and fruit – so family members can work together to prepare their Thanksgiving meal.

Most families would not be able to celebrate the traditional Thanksgiving dinner without this support. Family-to-Family Thanksgiving provides opportunities for families to come together, enjoy each other's company, and partake in a family ritual that so many of us take for granted.

Unfortunately, with the economy continuing to decline, more jobs being lost, more families struggling to make ends meet, and the negative stress affecting families and the community overall, Aurora Family Service knows more families than ever are seeking support. Aurora Family Service is committed to assisting a minimum of 3,500 Milwaukee families this Thanksgiving. Nearly 100 community based organizations, churches, and schools receive baskets that are then distributed to families in need throughout the metropolitan area.

The generosity of individuals, corporations, and organizations is a vital ingredient to the success of fulfilling the challenge of helping even more struggling families during the holiday season. Aurora Family Service needs to raise $100,000 to help continue this important event in the community. Sponsorship opportunities exist at $1,000, $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000 gift levels.

As we sit down to our own Thanksgiving meal, it is even more meaningful knowing we have helped a less fortunate family share the same tradition. There are several ways individuals, corporations, and groups can get involved to make a difference.

For more information on ways of giving and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Aurora Family Service's Philanthropy Office at (414) 345-4954.

Aurora Health Care is a not-for-profit health care provider and a national leader in efforts to improve the quality of health care.