Lawrence University will partner with St. Joseph Food Program on a food drive at the Appleton Christmas Parade, set for Nov. 21.
A Lawrence University trailer will roll down College Avenue in downtown Appleton as part of the “pre-parade,” immediately following the Santa Scamper Run-Walk. LU volunteers will carry donations of canned goods from parade attendees on the curb to the trailer as it moves down the street. All donations will go to St. Joseph Food Program. A QR Code for monetary donations to St. Joseph also will be available if attendees don’t bring cans but still want to contribute.
The food drive will begin at about 6:30 p.m. The parade is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
“Lawrence University is proud to partner with St. Joseph to help stock their shelves as the holiday season approaches,” said Garrett Singer, special assistant to the president. “In addition to supporting our local community, it is an opportunity to model good citizenship for our students and campus community.”
For anyone wanting to volunteer, there are three opportunities (details about volunteering and registration can be found using these links):
- Canvassing the neighborhoods north and east of Lawrence’s campus to promote the food drive (Friday, Nov. 17)
- Picking up food donations from the neighborhoods north and east of Lawrence’s campus if they can’t make the parade (Monday, Nov. 20)
- Walking in the parade and collecting donations (Tuesday, Nov. 21)
The Appleton Christmas Parade is held annually on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Drawing an estimated 80,000 spectators to downtown Appleton, the parade is among the largest holiday gatherings in the Midwest. The parade begins at the corner of State Street and College Avenue and travels east on College Avenue to Drew Street.