Alsum Farms & Produce, Inc. Helps Delevan Cub Scouts Prepare Thanksgiving Community Feast in Advance

This Thanksgiving, the Walworth-Lakeland Elks Lodge #2201 will receive a little extra help from both Cub Scout Pack 327 and  Alsum Farms & Produce Inc. — over 150 pounds of fresh grown Wisconsin potatoes that will be served at the Elks’ hosted Complimentary Thanksgiving Dinner, Thursday, November 24.  

It all began this summer when the Delevan Cub Scout Pack 327 embarked on the Great Potato Challenge. On April 18th, the eve of a full moon, Cubmaster Catherine Heather and each of her Pack planted potatoes in a five-gallon bucket. The Cub Scouts were left in charge of planting, watering and maintaining the plants and the Den who harvested the most potatoes would be rewarded with a bowling party.

Notes Heath, “For the last several years the Scouts and their families have delivered Thanksgiving meals prepared by our local Elks club to shut-ins and the elderly. Last year we delivered about 150 meals. We’ve found that the families who participate in this delivery service gain more than they could have anticipated. And many of our Scouts begin asking about Thanksgiving delivery early in the fall. It’s a simple service, but it means a lot to everyone involved.”

This year, Heath decided, she wanted to do more — thus the Great Potato Challenge. “This year the cub scouts from Pack 327 are able to say they helped with the Thanksgiving meal from the growing to the harvesting to the delivery. It will be a very memorable moment in the life of a kid and his family. It was a fun project and a great learning experience.”

On September 19, the cub scouts harvested their potatoes. The Mayor and Town Chairman of Delevan,  along with many dignitaries from the Elks Lodge, attended the harvest. The Den that produced the most potatoes was the Bear Den.

When the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association learned of the contest and the Thanksgiving Dinner from Heath’s posting on the Eat Wisconsin Potatoes Facebook page, they asked if Alsum Farms & Produce would like to contribute to the event. They did — 150 pounds of potatoes. The Wisconsin potatoes will be delivered to the Elks Lodge in November.

The Elks Lodge Complimentary Dinner will be held at the Walworth-Lakeland Elks Lodge #2201 located at 627 South Second Street in Delevan, Wisconsin. If you would like to volunteer, make a donation, or attend the dinner please contact Chris at 262.745.4043 or Patty at 262.745.9473. If you would like to have a Thanksgiving meal delivered, call 262.749.4621.