(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber’s Annual Scrooge Contest is now underway, through the month of November. Eleanor Hoover, who passed away in 2019, organized the contest beginning in 2002 just one year after the inaugural Lighted Parade. Her daughters, Jackie Sampson and Billie Hoover, took the reins in 2019. The Scrooge contestants raise money and collect non-perishable food items for the Atlantic Food Pantry. The 2022 candidates include: Dr. Matt Weresh, Cass Health; Dave Frederiksen, Atlantic Hy-Vee; Jeff Gude, First Whitney Bank & Trust and Joyce Wieser & Lori Blum, Brown’s Shoe Fit.

Photo Left to Right: Dr. Matt Weresh, Lori Blum, Joyce Wieser, Jeff Gude and Dave Frederiksen

The contest will run from November 1st to November 22nd at noon. The contestant with the most points will be named Scrooge and all proceeds will benefit the Atlantic Food Pantry. Winner of the Scrooge Contest serves as the Grand Marshal in the Lighted Parade on December 3rd at 6 PM in Downtown Atlantic. Cash donations are worth 5 points on the dollar and one non-perishable item earns the contestants one point. Donations to a contestant can be made by delivering food or funds to their drop off locations. For more information, please call the Chamber at 712.243.3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com. The contest will run November 1st – November 22nd.

Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says “I’m so thankful Jackie and Billie agreed to carry on the tradition and help us organize the contest. Each year, more goods are donated and more money is raised, which continues to benefit a growing number of individuals and families in our community.”

The Atlantic Food Pantry is asking for a specific list of food items, with a focus on monetary donations to help purchase other food items that are needed including meat and refrigerated items. The list of needed food items includes:

• Cream of Chicken/Mushroom Soup; Tomato/Chicken Noodle Soup; Ramen Noodles
• Hamburger Helper; Boxed Noodles
• Canned Beef Ravioli/Spaghetti O’s; Canned Manwich or Sloppy Joe
• Instant Sides (Packages) – Pasta, Sauce or Potato
• Boxed Cereal
• Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
• Saltine Crackers
• Canned Fruit
• Bar Soap
• Canned Tuna/Chicken
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Canned Vegetables; Chili Beans; Diced Tomatoes
• Toilet Paper
• 18 oz. Creamy Peanut Butter
  Quick Oats (no milk needed)
• Pancake/Waffle Mix (no milk needed); Pancake/Waffle Syrup
• Pasta Sauce“Our food pantry continues to see an increase of individuals and families in need of food assistance. We have such a great group of candidates this year. They’re all very determined people who already do a lot for our community. I have no doubt this will be another successful year for the pantry and our community,” mentioned Smith.Past Scrooge titles have been awarded to: Mary Ann Moorman 2007, Dana Halder 2008, Tammy Wise & Janet Huey 2009, Ritchie Anderson 2010, Janet Cappel 2011, Melanie Petty 2012, David Miller 2013, Mark McNees 2014, Ted Robinson 2015, Jon Johnson 2016, Rob Stamp 2017, Rob & Sonya Clausen 2018, Billie Hoover, Jackie Sampson & Lori Christianson 2019, Brain Ruge 2020 and Ray Paulin 2021.