New Berlin Fire And Police Departments Donate 80 Turkeys

NEW BERLIN, WI— The average cost of this year’s Thanksgiving meal for 10 is $46.90 or less than $5.00 per person. The cost is a $2.01 decrease from last year’s average of $48.91, according to the Farm Bureau’s 35th annual survey.

While the cost has decreased, the need for food donations has increased due to the ongoing pandemic.

Thanksgiving is the time to show appreciation by giving thanks and now it is needed more than ever. The City of New Berlin Police and Fire Departments showed care and concern for the community by donating 80 turkeys to the New Berlin Food Pantry.

Barbara Jacob, the food pantry's assistant director, released the following statement:

"We are so happy to have the support of New Berlin Police and Fire Departments (for over ten years) at Thanksgiving. For us to not have to worry about suppling turkeys to our clients is huge. Each family receives a turkey and a fixing bag for their holiday meal. They will also be buying and delivering hams to us at Christmas. We also receive each year turkeys from an anonymous donor and we thank him very much. Our numbers continue to grow each week as new clients find us. We are always extra busy around the holidays but during the pandemic even more so."

Jason Shields, Union President of the Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics, Local 4724, said the turkey donation has been going on for almost 10 years.

A few years ago, they started a Christmas ham donation. The departments work with the food pantry to find out what the needs are. The New Berlin Food Pantry, 14750 W Cleveland Ave., serves New Berlin, Brookfield, and Elm Grove, residents. The pantry is open on Wednesdays from noon to 5:15 p.m.

"Even though we live in an affluent community, there are still members of the community who are on spare change," Shields told Patch.

Shields added they wanted to make sure people had a turkey to put on the table.

"We wanted to give back to the community that we serve," he said.

The effects of the pandemic are not lost on firefighters and police officers. Shields said many people are home sick or out of work.

"This year, probably more than ever, it is important we continue this donation," he told Patch.

The community has also showed appreciation by dropping off treats cards from children and other goods to both departments. Shields, a New Berlin Fire Fighter, said the firefighters get these nice gestures all year and it means a lot to them.

"We don't consider ourselves heroes, we are doing our job that we signed up for," he said.

What his department appreciates is hearing from former patients and knowing the outcome of those calls for service.

"It is nice knowing the community out there also has our backs," Shields said.

For more information on the New Berlin Food Pantry visit the Facebook page or the city's website.