A few years ago, members of the West Liberty Golf and Country Club decided they needed to pitch in to help the local food pantry – especially during the holidays.
Calling it a “Thanks ‘Fore’ Giving Food Drive,” club manager Jen Kivi jumped right on it, organizing an effort with club member and West Liberty Food Pantry volunteer Julie McKillip to collect hundreds of non-perishable food and household items they delivered to the pantry.
The donations keep growing annually, with twice as much as last year already collected before the Nov. 30 deadline in a drive that started Nov. 1,according to McKillip.
She credits Kivi for her organization skills in making it all happen. “She decorated a table, created signage and got the word out,” said McKillip, pointing out she also found out from the pantry what items were mostly needed, creating a list so members knew exactly what to provide. “It’s been real successful,” she added.
Kivi said the ball really started rolling on the drive when the club hosted a “Turkey Bingo” night on Nov. 9, telling guests that anyone who brought in food had a chance at a raffle ticket for prize drawings. “We received a ton of goods,” she said.
The manager said the whole thing is “pleasingly surprising,” noting members and guests of the country club have always been generous in helping out the community. “People are 100 percent supportive,” she said, pointing out the club also supports a homeless shelter in Muscatine.
But that’s not all the club is doing during the holidays. This past weekend, for West Liberty Chamber’s Christmas Open House, the club hosted about a dozen in-home and small businesses on Sunday for a three- hour vendor show, while the Ladies Golf League also held a bake sale.
The club will also host a family event known as “Cookies, Cocoa and Crafts with Santa” on Saturday, Dec. 21, from 2-4 p.m. where youngsters can not only meet their North Pole guest, but create a craft, all for a free will donation. Kivi said it’s not limited to members of WLGCC, noting anyone in the community is invited to attend.
Just before that event on Thursday, Dec. 19, a cookie decorating class will be held for bakers of all ages, hosted by Ashley’s Sweet Treats. The class is limited and reservations are required by calling Stephanie Martin at 319-541-4781. There is a fee per class member.
Kivi said Music Bingo will continue through the winter months on the second Saturday of each month, including Dec. 14, from 7-9 p.m. at the club and all are invited to that event as well.
The club is located south of West Liberty at 1248 Country Heights Lane.