FOR THE WAUSAU TIMES

(WAUSAU) – Rob Hughes, a Special Education Instructor in the Wausau School District, is once again making a difference in the lives of people, within our community, who are in need. Each year, he raises money for the Wausau Area Food for Hope Turkey Drive and this year is no different.

“When I was growing up, there were times when my family went to the Waukesha food pantries and churches for food donations. The kindness of strangers helped us out and left a lifelong impression on me. Now we get to be those kind strangers,” said Hughes.Last year, Food for Hope gave away more than 1,000 hams and turkeys to 25 Wausau, Newman, and D.C. Everest schools.

“If you are able to contribute $5, $10, $20, or whatever is on your heart, we can do it again. One hundred percent of your donation goes to food,” he said.
So, how does this drive work? Each year, Rob partners with Festival Foods to buy turkeys and hams using the money he raised. Then, he gives them away, for free, in November to area schools and community organizations.

Rob is still in need of donations. There are a couple of ways people can donate. He has a Facebook page called: Wausau Area Food for Hope. He uses Venmo and PayPal to collect donations. “We can help the holidays be a time when families should be together, and if we can alleviate some stress by providing some of the meal, it just seems like the right thing to do!”