Food drive pits Plover against Stevens Point in friendly competition

By Brandi Makuski

PORTAGE COUNTY – The Portage County Business Council is hosting a community food drive on Friday, May 16, from noon to 6 p.m., with a spirited rivalry fueling the effort.

Dubbed “Pack the Pantry,” the event is a friendly competition between Plover and Stevens Point to see which city can collect the most nonperishable food items. Collection sites will be set up at both Metro Market locations.

Metro Market is located at 1500 Pinecrest Ave. in Stevens Point and 1850 Plover Rd. in Plover.

Donations gathered in Plover will benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry, while contributions in Stevens Point will be directed to the Salvation Army.

Angie Feltz, director of investor engagement for the Portage County Business Council, said the effort is not only for a good cause—it comes with a lighthearted wager.

“It’s my understanding that if Stevens Point should lose, Mayor [Mike} Wiza has to take [Village President] Gary Wolf out to dinner, and vice versa,” Feltz said.

Local radio stations are joining the effort, with NRG broadcasting live from Plover and Muzzy doing a remote broadcast from Stevens Point.

Flyers and yard signs are being distributed throughout the county to promote the event. For more information, contact the Portage County Business Council at 715-344-1940.