Next Meeting , Tuesday noon, February 7, 2017, at the Coliseum Bar & Restaurant, as usual. Hopefully now that we've gotten thru the first month of the new year, the weather will let up a little. I remember when my kids were learning to skate that the sun usually wrecked the outdoor rinks in February, but of course it's warmer now. This will be our monthly business meeting, and we'll have the Bags Tournament, another season of eye tissue transporting, and some other stuff to discuss.

In case you missed it, we lost one of our oldest members last month when AL GOLDSTEIN died. AL was an active and generous supporter of Madison Central Lions before his retirement as the owner of “Carmen's, The Coat Store of Madison.” Among other things, AL lent us space in his stores for depots when we sold large numbers of the famous (still famous and available) Lions Fruit Cakes. His store managers also ran our depots, and all were trained in the intricacies of checking out cakes to Lion salespeople. AL was also a key figure in our annual Election Day meetings, held at Temple Beth El, where we used to get the best corned beef sandwiches in Wisconsin. We think he donated the meals on more than one occasion. Always friendly, energetic and fun to talk with. We miss him. Lions STEVE BRIGGS, SCOTT GROVER, and GLENN SCHAEFFER, along with former Lion Jim Bradley were at Al's funeral.

What follows was compiled by Ace Reporter SCOTT GROVER:

Our January 17 meeting had nine warm bodies (including our speaker), but we started with MELISSA introducing our speaker Andy Czerkas, Co-Director of the River Food Pantry. Andy passed out brochures. and told us that The River was more than just a food pantry. They proved food, meals, clothing ,rides, kid-watching, music, and flowers. People remember their positive attitude, and they keep people's dignity intact. Those who use the River are allowed to pick out their own food. Fresh food and frozen protein are always available. They have walk-in coolers and freezers. Most of the meat comes from Second Harvest. The best-sold-by date is used to signify which food is transferred from local stores to Second Harvest to local pantries, and sometimes the distribution takes a long time. Fortunately, there is a bread distributor right next door, and they provide bread for the pantry as the trucks return to the distributor.

The River usually uses twelve volunteers. Illness is the leading cause of a lack of money. The middle class is disappearing. 48% of the US population is now classified as low-income. Most of the shoppers don't take as much as they could - everyone figures that “someone else” might need more. Shoppers also volunteer to help, as do vets. The average income for surrounding families is $11,000 (for a family of three).

The River also provides MUNCH, sandwiches for kids on non-school days, sometimes as many as 300 sandwiches. The River is the busiest pantry in Dane County, and they spent $200,000 last year on food. their annual budget is $850,000, and next year that will be over $1,000,000. There is a power of 10 - $10 provides $100 in food or service. If you were there, you were moved. If you weren't there, you should have been.

One of the Centennial projects suggested by LCI is fighting hunger. MCLC can do more. We presented Andy with a check for $250, monetary donations from members, and several sacks of food.

SCOTT read a list of District events - you can find these on the District web site.

We still need volunteers for the February 25 Bags tournament. Contact KEVIN or DALE. Or, register as a team. Either way, you'll have a fun afternoon.