Local food banks prepare for lapse in FoodShare funding

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with new information.

Local food pantries are working to address food insecurity as Wisconsin’s FoodShare program runs out of money. 

Wisconsin FoodShare, which is 100 percent federally funded, is slated to run out on Nov. 1 due to the federal government shutdown.

Donna Ambrose is the Executive Director of the Neighbor’s Place, a Wausau-based nonprofit that provides food, basic necessities, and support to those in need.

Ambrose says they’re seeing a spike in the number of people they serve. 

“A lot of those households that we haven’t seen before are now coming, or people also that only needed us periodically are now coming more frequently,” she said.

She said while their food pantry is in good supply, they have to start planning to maintain a sustainable inventory and staffing.

“So we’re going to do it slow and steady, do it incrementally,” she said. “We’re just kind of taking it a day at a time right now to see what’s going on.”

The lapse in FoodShare funding also threatens Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) families.

Now, area nonprofits have partnered with the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin to launch the Formula and Food Insecurity Fund.

The fund will provide grants to nonprofit organizations in Marathon, Lincoln, Langlade and Taylor counties that distribute food and formula to those in need. 

Ambrose says any donation amount helps. 

“People often think, well, I can only donate 10 dollars. How’s that going to help? This crisis is so big,” she said. “But I will tell you, we have the greatest success with a lot of small donations add up to a lot.” 

On Friday, two federal judges ruled that SNAP must continue to be funded through the shutdown, reports the Associated Press.

To donate to the fund, visit cfoncw.org, or you can donate directly to the Neighbor’s Place at neighborsplace.org

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