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.