The Galena Rotary Club raised $5,000 for area food pantries during the “Rotary Roars for Youth” auction in May. The proceeds were distributed equally among four area food pantries. Pictured (left to right) are Tammie Smith, River Ridge Cats Care; Brooke Deppe, Galena Pirate Pantry; Zeke Winders, Rotary Auction Chairman; Laurie Mattas, Galena Food Pantry; and Frank Ventrulaia, Galena Elks Club Food Basket Program.
The Rotary Roars for Youth auction supports scholarships for Jo Daviess County high school graduates; Rotary programs like Youth Exchange, Student-of-the-Quarter, and RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards); and matching grants for area not-for-profits.
The 2024 auction set a record, netting $50,000 for Rotary scholarships and grants, including the $5,000 raised specifically for area food pantries