On Thanksgiving morning, a group of motorcycles were parked outside the Sister Mary Loretto Memorial Community Soup Kitchen.
Inside the soup kitchen were the riders, members of the Iron Order Motorcycle Club’s Lockport chapter, with pumpkin pies and a check in hand.
The motorcycle club is one of a variety of community groups that have stepped up to support the 40th annual fund drive for Lockport’s soup kitchen.
The motorcyclists’ support came in the form of 25 pumpkin pies and a $150 donation.
According to club president Michael “Garrett” Wurthman, Iron Order-Lockport gives community service year-round and its annual donation to the soup kitchen is one of its longest-running giving traditions. He said they have been supporting the soup kitchen for about 12 years.
“Everybody thinks bikers are big killers, but we’re human beings like anyone else and we just want to help people,” Wurthman said.
He said their goal is simply to do the best they can to help their community.
“We’re not looking for stars and all that stuff. If people recognize us that’s fine, but it’s just what we do.”
For the first time, Lockport Schools & Community Federal Credit Union is hosting a fundraiser with a splash of holiday creativity to encourage its members to contribute to charitable causes this holiday season.
The credit union is currently holding a Holiday Basket Raffle featuring prizes such as gift cards and products from various Lockport-based businesses. Ticket proceeds are to be split evenly between the soup kitchen and Lockport CARES.
The baskets, which were donated by credit union staff and board members, are on display in the lobby of LSCFCU headquarters, 360 S. Transit St. The auction has been underway since Nov. 27 and will run through Dec. 15.
CEO Tammy Dodge sees the raffle as a way to encourage community members to support one another, especially during the holiday season.
“Credit unions are all about giving back to our communities,” Dodge said. “Everybody thinks about shopping local and doing local things and we’re a local credit union. That’s why we wanted to make it Lockport-focused… this one fit for the time of year.”
She said LSCFCU’s first raffle has seen considerable support from the community from the onset.
“It’s been well received,” Dodge said. “We’ve done a couple hundred dollars and it just started last week.”
Tickets for the basket raffle can be purchased at the credit union during business hours, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
A sheet of tickets costs $5 each. Cash donations are also accepted.
EVERY PENNY COUNTS
The Sister Mary Loretto Memorial Community Soup Kitchen is in its 40th year of operation in Lockport and the annual community fund drive to sustain it for another year is underway. This year’s goal is $75,000. To contribute directly:
• Clip the fund gift form published daily in the Union-Sun & Journal and either drop off your donation and the gift form at the Salvation Army office or mail it to: Salvation Army, 50 Cottage St., Lockport, NY 14094. Checks should be made out to the Salvation Army of Lockport and “Soup Kitchen” written on the memo line, to ensure that the money goes directly to support soup kitchen operations.
• Text SOUPSON to 31333 and be directed to a digital donation page. The “in honor / in memory” designation is available.