For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – This year, United We Can was able to raise over 9,500 pounds of food, during the ninth annual United We Can event.

With nine teams competing, the award winners were: Most Nutritious Award – Aspirus Riverview Hospital, Most Creative Award – Prevail Bank, Community Choice, Major League – Aspirus Riverview Hospital, and Community Choice, Minor League – Samoset Council Troop 9118 and 118.

United We Can was able to support six local food programs:  Christian Life Fellowship Food Pantry, Nekoosa Backpack for Kids, Rapids Family Backpacks, South Wood Emerging Pantry Shelf, The Family Center and The Neighborhood Table.

“But the real winners are our local food programs and their clients,” said Ben Eberlein, community engagement director for United Way of South Wood and Adams Counties.  “Thanks to the generosity of our teams and community members, United We Can 2021 leveraged more food than ever before!  It’s truly an inspiration to see our community work together to help Strike Out Hunger.”

Teams participating were: Aspirus Riverview Hospital, Boys and Girls Club of the Wisconsin Rapids Area-Teen Center sponsored by Renaissance, Domtar, ERCO Worldwide, Grace Lutheran Church, Love, INC sponsored by NextHome Partners-Chris Inda, Prevail Bank, Samoset Council Troop 9118 and 118, Solarus, as well as McMillan Memorial Library who built an impromptu sculpture with food donated the day of the event.