(Atlantic) The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce announced the 2022 Annual Scrooge Contestants. The contest runs through November 22 at noon.
The 2022 candidates include Dr. Matt Weresh, Cass Health; Dave Frederiksen, Atlantic Hy-Vee; Jeff Gude, First Whitney Bank & Trust; Joyce Wieser & Lori Blum, Brown’s Shoe Fit.
Eleanor Hoover, who passed away in 2019, organized the contest in 2002, just one year after the inaugural Lighted Parade. Her daughters, Jackie Sampson and Billie Hoover took the reins in 2019.
“I’m so thankful Jackie and Billie agreed to carry on the tradition and help us organize the contest. Each year, more goods are donated, and more money is raised, which continues to benefit a growing number of individuals and families in our community,” Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, stated.
The contestant with the most points will be named Scrooge, and all proceeds will benefit the Atlantic Food Pantry. The winner of the Scrooge Contest serves as the Grand Marshal in the Lighted Parade on December 3 at 6 PM in Downtown Atlantic.
Cash donations are worth 5 points on the dollar, and one nonperishable item earns the contestants one point. The Atlantic Food Pantry is asking for a specific list of food items, focusing on monetary donations to help purchase other needed items, including meat and refrigerated items.
The list of needed food items includes:
- Cream of Chicken/Mushroom Soup
- Tomato/Chicken Noodle Soup
- Ramen Noodles · Hamburger Helper
- Canned Beef Ravioli/Spaghetti O’s
- Instant Sides (Packages) – Pasta, Sauce, or Potato
- Boxed Cereal ]
- Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
- Saltine Crackers
- Canned Fruit
- Bar Soap
- Canned Tuna/Chicken
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Canned Vegetables
- Toilet Paper
- 18 oz. Creamy Peanut Butter
- Quick Oats (no milk needed)
- Pancake/Waffle Mix (no milk needed)
- Pancake/Waffle Syrup
- Boxed Noodles
- Pasta Sauce
- Chili Beans
- Diced Tomatoes
- Canned Manwich or Sloppy Joe
“Our food pantry continues to see an increase of individuals and families in need of food assistance. We have such a great group of candidates this year. They’re all very determined people who already do much for our community. I have no doubt this will be another successful year for the pantry and our community,” mentioned Smith.
Donations to a contestant can be made by delivering food or funds to their drop-off locations. Past Scrooge titles have been awarded to Mary Ann Moorman 2007, Dana Halder 2008, Tammy Wise & Janet Huey 2009, Ritchie Anderson 2010, Janet Cappel 2011, Melanie Petty 2012, David Miller 2013, Mark McNees 2014, Ted Robinson 2015, Jon Johnson 2016, Rob Stamp 2017, Rob & Sonya Clausen 2018, Billie Hoover, Jackie Sampson & Lori Christianson 2019, Brain Ruge 2020 and Ray Paulin 2021.
For more information, please call the Chamber at 712.243.3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com.
(Photo: L-R: Dr. Matt Weresh, Lori Blum, Joyce Wieser, Jeff Gude, Dave Frederiksen)
