Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

January 5, 2011, Front Page

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Gross Motors donates to area food pantries

By Peter Spicer

This holiday season, Neillsville’s Gross Motors and generous area resident s pitched in to make sure needy area families are well fed during this time of year.

Gross Motors matched the $1,590 worth of non-perishable food items residents brought to the dealership from Nov. 15 to Dec. 18. By matching the donations, Gross Motors donated over $3,100 to the food pantries.

This year’s theme for the project was “Gross Auto and Chevy Gives More!”

Four area food pantries received donations from Gross Motors, including Neillsville, Granton, Greenwood and Thorp food pantries.

Gross Motors also awarded prizes to area individuals. This year’s winners included: First prize – Mary Sue Kyle of Neillsville, who won an Apple I-Pad; Second prize – Marilyn and Brent King of Greenwood, who won a Nintendo Wii and Third Prize – Tony Langreck of Neillsville, who won a $100 Visa pre-paid card.

Gross Motors recognized every one who contributed food and/or helped sort and distribute food items to area food pantries.

“We have wanted to do something like this for years,” said Gross Motors owner, Wayne Gross.  “We donate too many different causes throughout the year, and this particular cause is very rewarding.”

Those who brought in items were able to have their item(s) and Gross’s matched donation goes toward the food panty of their choice.

Gross Motors in both Neillsville and Black River Falls teamed with Chevrolet for the project.

The number of food items brought to the dealership impressed Gross.  “We had a lot of food,” said Gross.

After inventory was taken and non-perishable food items were price, Gross Motors was able to determine a dollar amount to match what was brought in.

Gross Motors presented checks and the donated food items to the food pantries before Christmas; the pantries then used the donated funds to purchase additional needed food items.

Gross stated it was nice to see people helping out during the holidays.  With the successful project, it may become an annual holiday event for Gross Motors.

“We hope to do [the project] again,” concluded Gross.