Food pantries around Wisconsin are having a tough time keeping up with the demand of feeding those who need help getting food, and unfortunately, that’s the story around Manitowoc as well.
Grow it Forward CEO Amber Daugs tells Seehafer News, “Last month alone, we had a 44% increase in the number of participants receiving food resources, and this is at a time that we are at an all-time low in terms of food resources being brought to our pantry, and all-time low of donations fiscally as well.”
Daugs says this is partially due to inflation rates being higher, but it’s also because the country is moving into a national election cycle.
But another problem lies at the federal level, with access to The Emergency Food Assistance Program or TEFAP.
Daugs says they are trying to increase access the program by removing barriers.
While that might sound good, it means that more people are eligible for food assistance at a time where resources are limited.
“We had received word that the state has turned away semi loads of food through this program because of lack of funding at the state side for distribution and storage of that food,” she tells Seehafer News.
Last year, Grow it Forward’s pantry served a little over 1,900 people while providing about 300 to 500 each week getting resources.
Daugs says anyone can donate food or money to Grow it Forward, but she recommends going to a store that sells in bulk so the donation can go farther than just going to a grocery store.
Daugs continues saying that it’s hard to predict when things will be back to normal, but the pantry will be keeping a close eye on the November election so see how the feds will continue to support food programs.
Anyone can also go to Harmony Café in downtown Manitowoc because every dollar they get goes toward three meals for people in need.
