Local Businesses Band Together to Fight Hunger, Support New Berlin Food Pantry

New Berlin, Wis. – As Thanksgiving and the traditional “season of eating” approaches, a coalition of local businesses in three communities is working to ensure that people simply have enough to eat.

Eleven businesses, led by New Berlin-based Grounds Maintenance Services, are collecting food, gift cards and non-food items for the New Berlin Food Pantry. The goal is to fill a three-ton Grounds Maintenance Services dump truck with canned and boxed food, diapers, toilet paper, cleaning products and personal hygiene items.

The joint effort kicks off as the food pantry, which serves 100 to 125 households per month, heads into a season of typically higher demand. The pantry serves individuals and families in New Berlin, Brookfield and Elm Grove.

Donating to the food pantry is easier than ever, thanks to the cooperating businesses involved.

Grounds Maintenance Services will make individual pickups of food and other items from homes throughout the three targeted communities. A pickup can be arranged by calling (262) 784-8219.

Bags of donated items can be dropped off at any of these participating businesses:
• ActionCOACH of Elm Grove, 13150 Watertown Plank Road, Elm Grove
• Brookfield Dance Academy, 2945 N. Brookfield Road, Brookfield
• Carrie On Gift Shop, 16980 W. National Ave., New Berlin
• Charlie’s East Coast Hair Designs, 285 N. Janacek Road, Brookfield
• G2 Insurance Services, 14260 W. Greenfield Ave., Brookfield
• IMS Barter Trade Exchange, 16901 W. Glendale Drive, New Berlin
• Movin’ & Lubin’, 2350 S. Commerce Drive, New Berlin
• Soerens Ford, 18900 W. Capitol Drive, Brookfield
• Source 1 Project Solutions, 3315 N. 124th St., Brookfield
• The Oilerie Brookfield, 17125C W. Bluemound Road, Brookfield

“We hope that all our friends, customers and neighbors will join us in filling the shelves of the New Berlin Food Pantry for the undoubtedly busy winter ahead,” said Todd Ruedt, owner of Grounds Maintenance Services. “As local businesses, we are proud to join with our fellow residents in helping the neediest in our communities.”

Besides non-perishable food items, the businesses also hope to collect goods that are commonly needed in households, but can stretch already-thin budgets: diapers, toilet paper, laundry and cleaning soaps, and personal hygiene items. Gift cards of all types and denominations are welcome. Monetary donations can be mailed to the New Berlin Food Pantry, 14750 W. Cleveland Ave.

Founded in 1999, Grounds Maintenance Services offers a full range of landscaping and yard maintenance services, plus in-home Christmas tree delivery, holiday lighting setup and snow plowing.