Firefighter Prepared To Sleep In Streets For Food Shelf Donations
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -A Twin Cities fire fighter is preparing for a very uncomfortable few days in the name of charity.
As part of a donation drive, White Bear Lake firefighter Jeff Loeks won't leave downtown White Bear Lake until he fills a U-Haul with supplies.
Just four hours after he set up the donation drive at the corner of Highway 61 and 4th Street, he already had a steady stream of traffic.
"We didn't expect a whole lot for the day, but it's actually gone extremely well for a work day," Loeks said.
Every few minutes, community members came with shopping bags full of donations. They wanted to help Loeks with his lofty goal.
"I'm not rich, but I can afford to help," said Elsie Forcier, who dropped off donations.
The donations will go to the White Bear Area Food Shelf. Loeks said he wanted to help the organization because there was once a time in his adult life where he could have used the assistance.
"I had $40 on my credit card and I charged it with ramen noodles. I physically came home and looked at the ramen noodles and cried a bit. Pride got in the way of going to the food shelf," Loeks said. "The people who need it may not be the people you think."
Loeks knows he may be at the intersection for a couple of days, but he didn't bring the comforts of home. He'll only use a pop-up bench for sleeping and his firefighter gear to keep warm.
"I want it to be hard. I refuse to use a tent or blankets or anything of that nature," Loeks said.
This isn't the first time, Loeks has had to work for donations.
Last year, he was among three fire fighters who walked from Duluth to White Bear Lake with their oxygen tanks to raise money for a fire department ATV.
"To do anything real rewarding, you need to suffer a bit," Loeks said.
Loeks won't turn down the typical non-perishable food items, but he is hoping community members bring toiletries to this donation drive. He said the drive is asking for items like toilet paper, tissue, shampoo and conditioner.
"If you don't have to buy toothpaste and toilet paper, you get to use that same money in your budget to buy food and, of course, that's their goal," Loeks said.
Little by little, small gestures of kindness are bringing him one step closer to his goal.
Not just of helping the food shelf, but of completing this drive by Sunday.
"I almost want to hold up a sign that says, 'Don't make me miss football, hurry up,'" he said.
Loeks started his charity work after a health scare several years back. After he recovered, he vowed to give back and started a group called Firefighter Special Teams, which works to raise funds for other charities.
If you'd like to donate, Loeks will be in White Bear Lake, on the southeast corner of Highway 61 and Fourth Street until his truck is full.
