Snuggle up with some holiday cheer as OnMilwaukee shares stories of everything merry and bright in the spirit of the season.
The OnMilwaukee Ho Ho Holiday Guide is brought to you by Educators Credit Union, Harley-Davidson Museum and MolsonCoors.
It’s officially the season of giving! And that means giving generously to support important initiatives in our community.
These local bars and restaurants are harnessing the spirit of the holidays by engaging the community in support for a variety of local charitable organizations. Scroll down the list to see how you can help them make a difference for those in need.
This list will be updated regularly with initiatives as the season progresses.
Nov. 14 - Dec. 11
Weekly drives at Crossroads Collective
2238 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 763-9081
crossroadscollectivemke.com
For four weeks, the East Side food hall will function as a drop-off point for much-needed items to support local charities. Each week will highlight a different charitable partner and every guest who brings an item for donation will be entered into a giveaway to receive a $100 gift card for Crossroads Collective.
Week of Dec. 4: Feeding Wisconsin
Feeding Wisconsin is the statewide association of the six Feeding America food banks that provide food to local food programs in all 72 counties of the state.
Items requested: most needed items are peanut butter, canned vegetables, soup, cereal, canned fruit, canned meat, rice and pasta.
Dec. 10-11
Donate to Milwaukee Rescue Mission at Zocalo
Zócalo Food Park
636 S. 6th St., (414) 433-9747
zocalomke.com
Zocalo Food Park will be partnering with the Milwaukee Rescue Mission to collect the following items on Dec. 10-11:
- Men’s hoodies sizes large to 5X
- Men’s boxer briefs - all sizes
- Women’s winter hats
- Ear muffs
- Boys’ and girls’ toddlers tops and pants sizes 5-8
Items can be dropped off at the Zocalo Tavern on Dec. 10-11. For each donation, guests 21+ will receive a free glass of Eagle Park beer. Guests who donate are also eligible for any number of fun prizes.
Dec. 1-30
Drink cocktails for a cause at I.d.
I.d. Delafield
415 Genesee St., Delafield, (262) 249-6473
iddelafield.com
I.d. and Geronimo Hospitality Group have partnered with Tito’s Handmade Vodka to support the Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County (HAWS).
Throughout the month of December, diners at I.d. can order a specialty cocktail made with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and $1 will be donated to HAWS.
Festive cocktails include The Basic (Tito’s Handmade Vodka, soda water, lime); ‘Tis the Season (Cranberry-infused Tito’s Handmade Vodka, lemon juice, house-made limoncello, cava); and Holiday Cheers (Tito’s Handmade Vodka, ginger, pear, cider).
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
.jpeg)
