But once the shopper actually has their hands on the cart at the Fort Dodge Fareway, heart racing, waiting for the signal to go — then the pressure is on and on big time.

“Are we supposed to grab 30 boxes of Rice-A-Roni … or was it 30 boxes of elbow macaroni?”

Shoppers from several of Fort Dodge’s service organizations had to answer those questions Sunday afternoon — all while under pressure to get to as close to a total bill of $500 as they could during the 2022 Service Clubs United Shopping Spree Foodraiser.

The food and other items were donated to local charitable groups.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Gary Moore, at left, leads his shopping partner, Jeff Becker, as they try their best to spend $500 in seven minutes during the Service Clubs United 2022 Shopping Spree Fundraiser at the Fort Dodge Fareway Sunday afternoon. The Daybreak Rotary members were shopping for LOTUS.

Gary Moore and Jeff Becker, with the Daybreak Rotary Club, had prepared to shop for LOTUS.

“We did some scouting earlier,” Moore said. “We went through the store to find the things that they really needed.”

It wasn’t all fun and games.

“We’re serious,” Moore said. “I have to give Jeff credit for that.”

They were also willing to accept the possibility that hidden somewhere in the carts might be one with a wonky wheel. No shopping cart wheel oil was snuck into Fareway.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Jamie Brundage, with the Noon Sertoma Club, tosses a handful of Rice-A-Roni boxes into her cart Sunday afternoon during the Service Clubs United 2022 Shopping Spree Fundraiser at the Fort Dodge Fareway. Her club was shopping for Upper Des Moines Opportunity.

“We haven’t gotten that technical,” Moore said. “Maybe next year.”

Elizabeth Stanek had a plan for the Noon Rotary Club’s shopping spree for The Lord’s Cupboard.

“We’re using the ‘Keep It Simple, Stupid’ principle,” she said. “We have five item categories in three aisles. We did have a representative to roam the aisles and scout the store.”

The shoppers for the group, Rev. Kris Leman and Joyce Rosenquist, of Fort Dodge, were ready — sort of.

“I’m a virgin at this.” Leman said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Nathan Nelson, assistant grocery manager at the Fort Dodge Fareway, checks out some of the groceries purchased Sunday afternoon during the Service Clubs United 2022 Shopping Spree Foodraiser.

“We have a general game plan.” Rosenquist added.

“If push come to shove we’ll take our arms and do food sweeps into the cart.” Leman said.

As the shopping was set to begin, Linda Cline, with the Kiwanis Club, who served as MC for the event, made an announcement.

“Fareway has been kind enough to add $100 to every group,” she said. “Now $600 is what you get to shop for.”

Askley Vaala, executive director of LOTUS, said Moore and Becker were going to be filling the cart for her group with various supplies needed at the shelter. Things like laundry soap, deodorant and breakfast items.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Joyce Rosenquist, at left, along with Rev. Kris Leman, top off a cart Sunday afternoon during the Service Clubs United 2022 Shopping Spree Fundraiser at the Fort Dodge Fareway. The two Noon Rotary Club members were shopping for The Lord's Cupboard.

She was all smiles.

“This is a good way to bring fun to what they do,” she said. “It’s a fun way of giving instead of just writing a check. It’s a great way to bring people together.”

Also at stake, a traveling trophy that the winning organization gets to keep till next year’s event. It will live with the Fort Dodge Noon Sertoma Club.

Shopping Spree Results

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Rick Duneman, shopping with the Noon Sertoma Club, takes a full cart of groceries to the checkout during the Service Clubs United 2022 Shopping Spree Fundraiser at the Fort Dodge Fareway Sunday afternoon. The club was getting items for Upper Des Moines Opportunity.

Fort Dodge Noon Sertoma for Upper Des Moines Opportunity: $459.02

Fort Dodge Kiwanis for the Fort Dodge Community School District: $407.81.

Fort Dodge Noon Rotary for The Lord’s Cupboard: $415.31.

Daybreak Rotary for LOTUS. $428.27.

Fort Dodge Evening Lions for the Trinity Food Bank: $260.68.

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-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
The shoppers at the Service Clubs United 2022 Shopping Spree Fundraiser made short work of some of Fareway's inventory Sunday.