Takin' the Blog for a Walk

Where to begin?

Posted by Brien Lee on May 8, 2011

art, helping, St. Vincent, Waukesha Food Pantry

So much to blog about don't know where to start. Such a busy Saturday I had to write it down to keep track. Waukesha Farmers' Market opened at 8:00 and the bank at 8:30. Grand opening of the new St. Vincent store on Sunset at 9:00 and the Waukesha County Food Pantry where I was helping opens at 9:30. Worked till 11:30 at the Pantry and a birthday party for my young niece and nephew was at noon. Art Crawl started at 4:00 but I had time for a nap before heading down around 7:00.

Even though fresh produce wasn't in abundance, vendors were out in force for the market's opening. Plenty of canned goods, meat, plants, handmade jewelry, artwork, bakery and things. When the growing season gets going we'll see about 20 additional vendors beyond who was there last year. New stall space has been added to the back side of the former transit center closer to the river. It'll be a challenge to attract shoppers back there in it's first year, but good chance people will find welcoming shelter beneath the roof the first hot or wet morning we get.  The Farmers' Market is open every Saturday 8:00 to noon now through October.

Patricia McRery is one of the new vendors you should visit on the back side. Photos.

Even though I'm a Vincentian I haven't been helping with set up of the new store. It was just as new to me as it was the hundred or so people waiting for the doors to open. All I can say is job well done. What a beautiful store! A huge improvement over the East Main store. Donations can be dropped off around back without worry. Plenty of parking in the former Kohl's parking lot. The store is well-lit, clean, organized, stocked, staffed and... it's new! Better hours - 9:00 to 8:00 Monday through Saturday. Easier access - right on Sunset at Prairie. This new store will be a huge benefit for the needy of Waukesha County. Clothes, furnishings and appliances are made available to the less fortunate through no cost store vouchers provided by individual conferences. Anyone needing help can just contact the store to find the conference serving them. Photos.

I enjoyed my time volunteering at the Waukesha Food Pantry, a close distance on Sentry Drive from the new St. Vincent store. Only my second time helping since their move to the new location, I started volunteering at the Pantry a year ago during the National Letter Carriers Food Drive. This year's Drive is coming up next Saturday the 14th. Anyone wanting to make a difference can sign up through the Waukesha Salvation Army. It's easy, painless and rewarding.