We ARE in Christ Hygiene Drive a success

Over $12,000 worth of items to community members in need

We ARE in Christ volunteers help sort the items. Front: Colton Novak, Pat Bero, Kathy Bennot, Patti Miller, Jan Novak and Connor Novak..Back: Audelina Sanchez, Diane Waite, and Julie Attoe. Photo taken by Lori Miller.

Volunteers from the second day of sorting: Audelina Sanchez, Pat Bero, Mae Stanles, Becky Kindschi, and Michele Salomone.

Pat and Jeff Karasek, Wild Rose Lions.

Michele Salamone and Deacon Dan of St. Paul Parish, Plainfield.

Wild Rose United Methodist Church members with their Drop Box.

Posted Wednesday, April 22, 2026 1:55 pm

Submitted by Pat Bero

We ARE in Christ, a local faith-based organization, recently completed their first annual hygiene product drive as part of Family Radio’s Help for the Homeless Hygiene Drive campaign. The goal of the drive is to collect an entire years’ worth of new cleaning and hygiene products for area families and individuals, including those who are unhoused.
This is the first time the campaign has taken place in Waushara County with more than $12,000 worth of items being collected. Items include paper products, soap, shampoos, cleaning supplies, garbage bags, laundry detergent, hair, and personal care products. All items will remain in Waushara County and will be distributed through local non-profit organizations.
Hygiene and cleaning products are not covered by Wisconsin FoodShare (food stamps / SNAP) program. The cost of these essential items can be a financial burden for households with limited resources, making this campaign especially important for local individuals and families.
Area churches, businesses and organizations hosted collection boxes for the campaign. Collection sites include Borth Community Church, Hope Lutheran Church, Mt. Morris Holden Lutheran Church, New Hope Global Methodist, St. John’s Lutheran Church, St. Joseph Catholic Church, St Paul’s Catholic Church, Wautoma Public Library, What the Snark, Waushara County Food Pantry, Wild Pine Coffee, Wild Rose Lions, Wild Rose United Methodist Church and Wisconsin State Probation and Parole office.
We ARE in Christ, a faith-based organization working to address local issues related to poverty, meets monthly to advocate and educate the community and congregations about local needs and area programs, and mobilize faith-based efforts to support programs and offer resources to the community. For more information, contact Pat at 608-807-9948.