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Consider making a ‘Giving Tuesday’ gift
For food security and the Lower Wisconsin Riverway
Voyageur Canoe Trips
GERRY DORSCHEID, recently retired Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board chair, is seen piloting the 'eagle canoe' on a recent Voyageur Canoe Trip from Gotham to Muscoda.

MUSCODA - GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Giving Tuesday 2022 will take place on November 29.

It’s a simple idea: whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to contribute toward building the better world we all want to live in.

Wisconsin River

Since Boscobel and Muscoda are located on the banks of the Wisconsin River, the Riverway features prominently in the life of the community. Several organizations are actively working to promote the Riverway, educate people about its attractions and beauty, and promote safety.

Two of those organizations are the Three Eagles Foundation and Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway (FLOW).

The Three Eagles Foundation was formed by Frank Shadewald to protect the Frank’s Hill effigy mounts site. They are currently accepting donations to help defray the cost of printing a new ‘Cultural and Natural Heritage’ map of the Riverway. The map will be available online and in a limited print edition. The map will help to further promote the Riverway, and encourage recreation which can have a positive impact on local economies in the Riverway.

To donate, send checks payable to Three Eagles Foundation, with ‘Riverway Map Printing’ in the memo line. Donations can be mailed to: Three Eagles Foundation, 202 N. Wisconsin Avenue, Muscoda, WI 53573.

FLOW is probably best known for its leadership in establishing the ‘Kids Don’t Float’ lifevest loaner kiosks at boat landings up and down the Wisconsin River. Just last year, FLOW built and stocked two new kiosks in Avoca and Wauzeka. Every year, FLOW volunteers log as much as 4,000 miles driving up and down the Riverway, ensuring that the kiosks are stocked.

In addition, FLOW offers a ‘River Trip Planner’ on their website, which allows those who want to paddle on the river information about times and distances of different stretches of the river. It has partnered with Iowa County Emergency Management to implement a River Safety Text Alert system.

FLOW president Timm Zumm was personally involved in assisting with four near-drownings on the river in 2022 where individuals not wearing lifevests had gotten into trouble. In addition, he provided extensive assistance in a year-long effort searching for the remains of Parker Kruse, who drowned on the River in 2021.

FLOW also provides volunteers to partner with DNR in workdays on public lands in the Riverway, conducts education events, and sponsors events for youth.

FLOW’s Science Committee has conducted long-term water quality monitoring, and secured grants and dontions of  time to protect endangered fish species in the Riverway, and is planning a Riverway Science Symposium in 2023.

To donate to FLOW, send checks made out to Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway to P.O. Box 614, Spring Green, WI 53588, or go to their website at https://www.wisconsinriverfriends.org/, and click on the ‘Donate’ button.

Food pantry donations

According to Feeding Wisconsin Executive Director Stephanie Jong Dorfman, in times that are not impacted by a pandemic or other economic recession-fueled reasons, the busiest times are often holidays and out-of-school times–when families might have to try harder to put food on their tables and have more competing financial obligations than usual. Weekends, summer, and holiday breaks usually place an additional financial burden on families.

If people are able to help, what are the five best items they can bring to a pantry?

• Peanut Butter

• Canned Proteins (beans, chicken, tuna)

• Low-Sodium and Low-Sugar Canned Veggies and Fruits

• Pasta

• Low-Sugar Cereals

What's better: donating time, food, or money?

All of the above! Food banks rely on food, funds, and friends.

What can $5 cover?

Food banks estimate that $1 can support an estimated three meals. So $5 supports 15 meals, $20 supports 60 meals, and $50 supports 150 meals.

Local food pantries

• Boscobel Assembly of God, 301 Chestnut Street, Boscobel, 608-375-5088. Available: Wednesdays by appointment 10 a.m.-12 p.m. No Income or Residence Restrictions

• BMZ Church Food Pantry, 104 Buchanan Street, Boscobel, 608-375-4565. Available third Saturday of the month 8-9:30 a.m.

• Immaculate Conception Mobile, 405 E. LeGrand Street, Boscobel. Available: third Tuesday of the month 9-11 a.m. No Income or Residence Restrictions

• SWCAP Northern Grant County Food Pantry & Thrift Store, 402 Johnson Street, Boscobel, 608-375-5903. Available: Mon., Wed. and Fri. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Northern Grant County Residents

• Highland Mobile Food Pantry, St. Anthony & Philip Church 726 Main Street, Highland 608-623-2095. Available last Monday of the month 4:30- 6 p.m.

• Riverdale Food Pantry, St. John’s Parish School, 116 N. Beech Street, Muscoda, 608-739-2744 (emergency 608-739-4017). Available: 3rd Monday of the month 2:30-5:00 pm; Riverdale School District Residents.