Blog > 2026 Goodman Community Center Thanksgiving Basket Drive
Thanksgiving is a time to gather around the table, share a good meal, and enjoy time with the people who matter most. But for thousands of families across Dane County, putting that meal together can be a financial challenge.
That's where the Goodman Community Center's Thanksgiving Basket Drive comes in. Every year, this Madison tradition brings neighbors, businesses, and volunteers together to make sure more local families have the groceries they need to celebrate Thanksgiving at home.
For 2026, Lauer Realty Group is celebrating 17 years of supporting the Goodman Community Center Thanksgiving Basket Drive, and we're once again inviting our friends, clients, and fellow Madison businesses to help us make a difference.
Even better? We're matching donations up to $10,000, giving your contribution twice the impact!
What Is the Goodman Community Center Thanksgiving Basket Drive?
For 38 years, the Goodman Community Center has helped Dane County residents celebrate Thanksgiving by providing groceries for a traditional holiday meal.
The goal for 2026 is to provide Thanksgiving baskets to 4,000 families across Dane County, reaching more than 25,000 residents, including over 10,000 children.
Each basket includes the ingredients families need to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner at home, from turkey and traditional sides to fresh ingredients that make the holiday meal complete.
Pulling off a food drive of this size takes an extraordinary amount of coordination, generosity, and volunteer support. Every donation helps Goodman purchase food, fill gaps in donated supplies, and prepare thousands of baskets for distribution.
It's an enormous community effort, and one we're proud to be part of.
Why Thanksgiving Food Donations Matter in Madison
The rising cost of groceries and everyday essentials continues to put pressure on household budgets throughout Madison and Dane County.
For many households, the additional expense of a Thanksgiving dinner simply isn't manageable. Between housing costs, transportation, utilities, and groceries, finding extra room in the budget for a holiday meal can be difficult.
The Goodman Community Center's Thanksgiving Basket Drive helps relieve some of that pressure by providing families with the ingredients to prepare a meal of their own.
But the impact reaches beyond the food itself.
It's about giving parents one less expense to worry about, helping families maintain their holiday traditions, and making it possible for more neighbors to enjoy Thanksgiving together.
With thousands of households counting on this annual effort, community donations are essential to making it happen.
Lauer Realty Group Is Matching Thanksgiving Donations Up to $10,000
This year marks our 17th year supporting the Goodman Community Center's Thanksgiving Basket Drive, and we're continuing one of our favorite annual traditions.
Lauer Realty Group will match donations dollar for dollar, up to a total of $10,000.
That means every eligible donation made through our campaign can have twice the impact:
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A $25 donation becomes $50.
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A $50 donation becomes $100.
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A $100 donation becomes $200.
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A $250 donation becomes $500.
Together, we have the opportunity to contribute up to $20,000 toward Goodman's Thanksgiving Basket Drive when our full matching goal is met.
Whether you're able to give $10, $50, or more, every contribution helps support the effort to put Thanksgiving meals on tables throughout Dane County.
We're asking our Madison neighbors, past and present clients, local businesses, and community partners to join us again this year.
Double Your Donation Through Lauer Realty Group's 2026 Matching Campaign
17 Years of Giving Back to the Madison Community
At Lauer Realty Group, our connection to Madison goes well beyond real estate.
We're fortunate to work in a community where people consistently show up for one another, and supporting the Goodman Community Center has become an especially meaningful part of our year.
For 17 years, our team has helped support the Thanksgiving Basket Drive through fundraising, community outreach, and hands-on volunteering.
Each Thanksgiving season, our agents and staff volunteer to help distribute baskets to local families.
We get to see firsthand what this effort means to the people receiving them. There's something incredibly meaningful about watching families head home knowing they have everything they need to prepare Thanksgiving dinner.
Those moments are why we continue to come back year after year.
And we couldn't do it without the generosity of the friends, clients, and local businesses who support this campaign alongside us.
How to Donate to the 2026 Goodman Thanksgiving Basket Drive
Supporting this year's campaign is easy, and making your donation through Lauer Realty Group's dedicated fundraising page helps connect your gift to our matching commitment.
Here's how to participate:
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Visit Lauer Realty Group's 2026 Thanksgiving Basket Drive donation page.
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Choose the amount you'd like to contribute.
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Follow the donation portal's instructions to complete your gift through our matching campaign.
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Share the fundraiser with friends, family, coworkers, or anyone else who may want to help.
Goodman Community Center has simplified its donation process this year. We appreciate your patience as you complete your donation and ensure it is attributed to Lauer Realty Group's matching campaign.
Donations are matched dollar for dollar until our $10,000 matching commitment has been reached.
Make Your Matched Thanksgiving Donation Here
Other Ways to Support Thanksgiving Families in Dane County
Financial contributions aren't the only way to support the Goodman Community Center's Thanksgiving Basket Drive.
Community members can also help by donating food, organizing a workplace food drive, spreading the word, or volunteering their time.
Goodman relies on donated groceries and volunteer support to collect, sort, pack, and distribute thousands of Thanksgiving baskets.
If you're interested in helping beyond a financial donation, visit the Goodman Community Center's official Thanksgiving Basket Drive page to explore current opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Goodman Thanksgiving Basket Drive
Where can I donate to a Thanksgiving food drive in Madison, WI?
You can support the Goodman Community Center's 2026 Thanksgiving Basket Drive through Lauer Realty Group's dedicated matching donation page. Eligible donations will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $10,000 in matching funds.
How many families does the Goodman Thanksgiving Basket Drive help?
The Goodman Community Center aims to provide Thanksgiving groceries to 4,000 Dane County families in 2026, helping more than 25,000 local residents celebrate the holiday.
Will Lauer Realty Group match my Thanksgiving donation?
Yes! Lauer Realty Group is matching donations dollar for dollar, up to a total of $10,000. Donations must be attributed to the Lauer Realty Group matching campaign, and the match is available until the commitment is fulfilled.
Can I volunteer for the Thanksgiving Basket Drive?
Yes. Goodman Community Center offers volunteer opportunities connected to collecting, organizing, packing, and distributing Thanksgiving baskets. Visit Goodman's volunteer website for available opportunities and registration information.
Help Us Make Thanksgiving a Little Easier for Our Neighbors
Seventeen years of supporting this incredible effort have shown us just how much Madison can accomplish when people come together.
The Goodman Community Center has a big task ahead, and we're grateful to everyone who helps make it possible.
If you're able to contribute this year, we'd love for you to be part of our 2026 matching campaign. Every donation, every shared link, and every act of generosity helps move this effort forward.
From all of us at Lauer Realty Group, thank you for continuing to show up for our community. We're proud to call Madison home, and even prouder to be part of a community that cares for its neighbors.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving!