Sleep out nets food shelf’s biggest donation

Jack Haskins knew his employer planned to match the money he raised during his third annual sleep out for the Gordon Area Food Shelf. He didn’t realize that Ferrellgas would triple it. When he handed the money to food shelf coordinator Joan Connors this week, she didn’t say much.

“I don’t think she knew what to say,” Haskins said.

When asked what she thought about the donation, Connors summed it up in one word: “Wow.”

Haskins collected 592 pounds of food and $1,124 during the event, which took place Dec.16-17 at his Solon Springs home. Ferrellgas sent an additional check for $3,500.

“That is the largest check we have ever gotten,” Connors said.

The money will help stock the freezer with meat and pay for a voucher program that provides eggs, milk, bread and butter to recipients.

In December, the food shelf served 56 families. Yet they haven’t received federal commodities for months. Haskins and others — like a South Range couple who bring in a truck loaded with food once a year — keep the food shelf stocked.

“It all makes a difference,” Connors said.

Each December, Haskins aims to make it bigger and better. But the Solon Springs man admitted he’ll have a hard time topping this year’s donation.

When he received the check from Ferrellgas corporate offices in Kansas, “I broke down in tears; I was totally amazed,” Haskins said.

He expressed his thanks to everyone who helped with the event. Nearly 50 people stopped to spend some time around the bonfire with Haskins, his son Austin and the boy’s friends Cole Edwards and Joey Androsky. Campbell Lumber and Dahlberg Power and Light donated wood; United Rentals provided the light plant; people stopped by with food to eat. But Haskins singled out Ferrellgas executives, in particular, Steve Wambolt, president and chief executive officer, for a special thanks.

“They’re a Fortune 1,000 company and there’s a reason why,” the Solon Springs man said.

What are his plans for next year’s sleepout?

“Bigger and better, I guess,” Haskins said.

The Gordon Area Food Shelf serves families and individuals in Gordon, Wascott and Solon Springs. It is open from 9 a.m. to noon every Wednesday. The building is located behind the Gordon Town Hall. For information, call (715) 376-4798.

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