Thanksgiving Basket Program starting as Goodman Community Center turns 5

Guests at the Goodman Community Center's five-year anniversary open house participate in activities (Mengyuan Zhang/Madison Commons) 

This Thanksgiving, the Goodman Community Center will continue its Thanksgiving Basket program, handing out groceries to over 2000 families in need across Dane County.

The program, which has been running for over 15 years, provides families in need with all of the key ingredients for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

The Community Center’s role on the Near East Side extends beyond turkeys and pumpkins, and the organization has played an integral part of the surrounding neighborhoods for decades.

Goodman Community Center, previously called The Atwood Community Center, was founded inGoodman Community Center (Mengyuan Zhang/Madison Commons) 1954. It got its new name and moved to 149 Waubesa St. in 2008, and has since expanded its service area and established new programs.

On Oct.5, The Goodman Community Center celebrated its fifth birthday as well as 60 years of service. Food was provided, and music accompanied all kinds of activities that were held continuously from 11:00am to 2:00pm in the center’s main building.

The birthday bash attracted people of all ages to the center, offering a variety of free birthday-themed activities behind each door.

Kids joined musical chair competitions, bingo games, and DIY activities such as birthday hat and jewelry making. Other activities included mini-piano lessons, disco dance, face painting, live music, and performances from Madison Hoop Dance.

Today, the Goodman Community Center provides healthy food, fitness facilities and educational activities, serving people from the near east neighborhoods of Schenk-Atwood-Starkweather-Yahara, Eken Park, Emerson East and Worthington Park. For more information about the Goodman Community Center, the Thanksgiving Basket program, or any of the center’s other programs, visit their site.