Company doesn’t let pandemic stop annual food drive

Covid-19 has curtailed many events this year, but the staff at Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson in Thiensville wouldn’t let the pandemic stop its annual drive to benefit the Food Pantry Inc. in Port Washington. Due to the pandemic, the dealership decided not to hold its annual holiday open houses on three consecutive Saturdays before Christmas but instead held an open house that went from Nov. 27 — Black Friday — through Dec. 19. Spreading out the time frame also spread out attendance, providing a safer environment for customers who could socially distance. Those attending came from throughout Wisconsin, everywhere from Wisconsin Dells to Kiel to Racine and Green Bay. In all, Suburban Motors collected 935 pounds of food, as well as personal hygiene products, monetary donations and gift cards. It was less than last year’s collection of 1,862 pounds of food, but still will make an impact on the lives of people in need, Ashley Kioski, Suburban’s marketing and events manager, said. Present at the donation on Dec. 21 were (from left) Todd Berlin, general manager at Suburban; Kioski; Jason Abraham, vice president of Hupy and Abraham S.C., the event sponsor; Jill Wellskopf, director of marketing for Hupy and Abraham; Pat Kozak, director of the Food Pantry; Phil Groothousen, president of the Food Pantry board of directors; Jim Herman, who is on the pantry board; and pantry volunteers Ralph Schmit and Joe Postl.                                                     Photo by Dave Mueller