New Christmas in Marquette event will support Clayton County Food Shelf
Supervisor Utoni Ruff surveys the supply of food at the Clayton County Food Shelf, which for 17 years has received monetary and food donations through the CPKC Holiday Train’s stops in the area. Now, multiple Marquette entities are partnering to sponsor a Christmas in Marquette fundraiser to offset the impact of the Holiday Train not visiting this year. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
Casino Queen Marquette, the city of Marquette, Marquette Action Club and McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce are partnering to sponsor Christmas in Marquette, a fundraiser for the Clayton County Food Shelf that hopes to offset the impact of the CPKC Holiday Train not visiting the area this year.
“The Holiday Train changed its route. They’ve been telling us this might happen for years,” said Clayton County Food Shelf Supervisor Utoni Ruff. “It’s a tough pill to swallow because it was a wonderful event. Everybody loved it. They stopped for us 17 years in Clayton County.”
In those 17 years, Ruff said the annual Holiday Train stops brought in $154,846.95 in monetary donations from the railroad and attendees, as well as nearly $60,000 worth of food. Last year’s stop alone collected 2,449 pounds of food and $12,656 in monetary donations.
“That’s huge,” she stated. “It was never ours to have, but you get used to it. It becomes part of your budget. But it’s good for other people to enjoy it too.”
Donations are important to the Clayton County Food Shelf, which currently serves an average of 150 households per month, according to Ruff. Many households regularly have multiple families residing there.
“I give the households the amount of food that would be required for a week for that amount of people,” she explained. “It’s an amazing need.”
In light of this need, organizations in Marquette—where the Holiday Train typically stopped—began meeting around Halloween to see what they could do.
“The casino reached out to the city and we were already talking about it. With the Action Club being more active, they also wanted to help,” said Marquette City Manager Bonnie Basemann, who’s also part of the Action Club. “The Holiday Train not being in Marquette is really going to affect the Food Shelf. We wanted to include the whole county to make up for that difference.”
Christmas in Marquette will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, in the Marquette City Park under the bridge. In an homage to the Holiday Train’s lighted railcars and concert, the event will include a stationary light parade similar to a trunk or treat, as well as live entertainment.
“People can walk around and see the lights. The Action Club and city have also put up some Christmas decorations,” said Basemann.
Other highlights include warm drinks and cookies, a bon fire and kids activities. Visit with Santa and his elves as well as Pinky the Elephant.
“We ask that you come and bring your family and friends and enjoy. And don’t forget to bring a donation for the Clayton County Food Shelf,” said Ruff.
Monetary donations are welcome along with non-perishable food items like canned vegetables and fruit, canned and dry dinners, mac and cheese, soup, pasta, cereal, juice, tuna, peanut butter, canned pie filling, gelatin, pudding and cake mix. Ruff also suggested non-food items such as toilet paper, laundry soap, dish soap, shampoo, toothpaste, hand soap and feminine products.
Ruff is humbled by the effort Marquette—as well as countless other businesses, organizations and individuals around Clayton County—has put into supporting the food shelf.
“The community has always been a great support for the Clayton County Food Shelf,” she said.
The Marquette groups are happy to help.
“With the Holiday Train unable to visit this year, Christmas in Marquette is an opportunity for our community to come together in the true spirit of the season. We are inspired by the generosity and creativity of everyone involved in making this event a reality and, together, we can help ensure that every family has the support they need during the holidays and beyond,” said Casino Queen Marquette General Manager Robin Corbeil.
“We’re excited about the enthusiasm and ideas from everyone,” Basemann added. “The groups working together have been wonderful to work with.”
Those involved are unsure whether the Holiday Train will return to Marquette in the future.
“I hope they come back someday, but I don’t know,” Ruff said. “CPKC has a lot of area they service, and it’s only fair others get it too.”
But whether it comes again or not, noted Basemann, “I think this is something we can continue.”
