VIP Services Hosts Food Drive for Pets and People in Whitewater
VIP Services, Inc. will host a community food drive on Thursday, October 9, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church (1225 W. Main Street, Whitewater). The event will collect non-perishable food items, fresh fruits and vegetables, and pet food to help families and their companion animals facing food insecurity.
All donations will be given to the Whitewater Community Space.
The drive builds on VIP Services’ broader efforts to fight hunger and strengthen community connections. Disabled adult clients in VIP’s therapeutic horticulture program have planted, raised, and harvested more than 1,000 pounds of produce this year, much of which has been shared with local food pantries. Clients take great pride in these contributions and value every opportunity to connect with their community.
Kelly Bates, one of VIP’s leading horticulture experts and a team lead in their Day Services program, emphasized the value of the food drive—not just for those receiving donations, but also for the clients who make it happen.
“This food drive is a great opportunity for our disabled adult clients to help others,” Bates said in an address at VIP Services. “They build important skills in our therapeutic horticulture program, and they are also very proud to help others in need and connect with the community.”
The food drive resonates deeply with Tom Hapka, a dedicated VIP Services employee living with a disability who actively supports social media and community outreach for VIP.
“When people struggle with food insecurity, it often means their pets are going hungry too,” Hapka said in a presentation at UW–Whitewater. “We want to ease that burden. Families should not have to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their animals. Every donation helps keep both people and pets cared for.”
The food drive will take place on Thursday, October 9, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, located at 1225 W. Main Street in Whitewater.
VIP Services invites the public to join in the effort by bringing donations of non-perishable food, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as dog and cat food to support individuals and pets in need.
“Every can of soup, every loaf of bread, every bag of pet food helps,” Hapka added. “Together, we can make a difference for people and pets in our community.”
Donations can be dropped off at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater on October 9 between noon and 5 p.m., and community members are welcome to stop by at any time during that window to contribute. We will be in the big room on the second floor of the church hall. Please come to the north end of the building, where there are stairs and an elevator.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by VIP Services.
