Local Soup Kitchen Throws Virtual Mardi Gras

MILWAUKEE, WI (February 11, 2021) – The Gathering is a local community meal program that provides close to 90,000 free meals a year to the hungry and homeless populations. The Gathering is honoring and recognizing its 39 years of serving individuals experiencing food insecurities, this coming Fat Tuesday, February 16, 2021.

“Last year was extremely difficult on all of us,” says Lyn Hildenbrand, Executive Director of The Gathering. “Our organization took a hit as our operations continuously changed and our expenses grew.. We wish we could celebrate our 2020 successes in-person, but the ‘big gala’ will have to wait until 2022. This coming Fat Tuesday, we’re ecstatic to virtually honor the hungry and homeless individuals we serve.”

On February 16 at 7PM, The Gathering is providing an interactive evening of raffles, music by saxophonist Olu Sijuwade, divination “psychic” readings by Kat Regan, stories from meal guests and interviews of partners at Running Rebels Community Organization, Feeding America Southeastern Wisconsin, Hunger Tasks Force, City of Milwaukee District 15 Alderman Stamper and more. As a unique touch, The Tandem restaurant is donating a Cajun themed dinner and dessert for some of the event registrants. The Gathering’s volunteers are delivering the meals along with Mardi Gras beads and masques to registrants the evening of the event.

Registration to attend the event is open through Tuesday, February 16, 2021. To register, visit www.thegatheringwis.org

About The Gathering of Southeast WI, Inc.

The Gathering was founded in 1982 and over the years, has provided the community with a Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner program that run throughout the week across four different meal sites. The Gathering provides other programming such as the Bag Lunch Program and Fresh Produce Preservation Project. Its Mission is to provide meals to the hungry and homeless population who would otherwise go hungry or without. The Gathering works with over 2,000 volunteers and serves nearly 90,000 meals in a fiscal year with only 10 paid staff members. To learn more visit, www.thegatheringwis.org

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.