RIVER FALLS – The Grumpy Old Men are back and announcing the 34^th annual River Falls Food Pantry drive for Tuesday, Dec. 3. The food and cash drive will be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the flag pole in Veterans Park, downtown River Falls. Non-perishable food items and always welcome cash donations are appreciated.

For 27 years, Jerry Carter and Mel Germanson were the self-proclaimed “Grumpy Old Men” collecting food items and donations. Over the years, donations have amounted to more than $200,000 in cash and thousands of pounds of food.

With a desire to make a meaningful contribution to the community, retired UW-River Falls basketball coach and athletic director Rick Bowen and retired Unity football coach Craig Miles (Jerry’s nephew) decided this tradition must continue. Thus a new group of “Grumpy Old Men” surfaced. The current group is made up of retired coaches, professors, teachers and business professionals who meet daily at Caribou Coffee in River Falls to solve the issues of the day.

The desire to make a difference became the group’s calling. Believing the continuation of the food drive was a necessity for the River Falls community, a mission was born.

Carter and Germanson started something 34 years ago. Today the new version of the “Grumpy Old Men” has the privilege and honor of continuing this tradition, seeking what the community is willing to share. Rain or shine, they hope to see you on Dec. 3.

Contributions may also be mailed to the River Falls Food Pantry at 705 St. Croix St., River Falls WI 54022 or online at https://mightycause.com/story/Txz8ig

In conjunction with the "Grumpy Old Men" food drive and collection on Tuesday, Dec. 3 the "Sleep in Heavenly Peace” organization will host a bedding drive. SHP is a non-profit that builds beds and delivers them to kids age 4-17. They are asking for donations of twin bed mattresses (must be new), sheet sets, beds in a bag, pillows, and handmade quilts (66-68" x 90"). 

They are also looking for volunteers who are passionate about this cause and would like to be a part of Sleep in Heavenly Peace of St. Croix County where their slogan is "No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in our Town," because every child deserves a safe place to sleep.

For more information regarding Sleep in Heavenly Peace of St. Croix County, visit shpbeds.org/chpter/wi-stcroixco.  

Submitted by the “Grumpy Old Men”