Hunger in the Heartland

For most Americans, hunger is a minor inconvenience, quickly relieved by a trip to the cupboard, grocery store, restaurant or pizza delivery. However, those options don’t exist for roughly 17,790 Wisconsinites, and for them, hunger is not just an inconvenience, but a hard fact of life. According to statistics from Feeding America, 1 in 10 people living in Wisconsin and 1 in 6 kids face hunger every day.
The federal government program to help combat hunger is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. SNAP benefits come on a card and can be used for purchasing food items and seeds or plants for growing food. The program does have work requirements for able-bodied participants between the ages of 16-59. Food Share is the name of the food assistance program in Wisconsin. Eligibility is based on family size and gross income. The current income threshold for a family of four is a maximum monthly income of $5,200 before taxes and other deductions. To apply for Food Share and other assistance programs including Badger Care Plus, housing assistance and childcare subsidies, you can go to www.access.wi.gov.
Many local food pantries also offer resources for those who need them. The Community Pantry is located in the Trinity Community building at 5409 County Road P, just south of Highway 33. It is open every third Wednesday from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Wendy Wellhoefer, the chairperson of the pantry, states that the pantry serves between 35-40 families each month and has been in existence since 2017. While walk-ins are welcome, it is requested that patrons call and arrange a time to come to the pantry at 920-209-7705. The Community Pantry works on the honor system and does not require proof of income or residency.
The pantry relies on private donations and local food drives. Local farmers sometimes donate garden produce and meat. Wellhoefer reports that many area churches and clubs have “been very generous and help keep our shelves full.” In addition, a Car and Tractor Show is held each September as a fundraiser. The Community Pantry receives no government funding but does receive food from Feeding America.
A majority of the patrons at the Community Food Pantry are senior citizens who come every month. As one volunteer put it, “When you only get $900 a month from social security, and then need to pay for gas, electric and medical bills, there’s not much left over for food.” Everyone at the pantry is on a first name basis, and it is a friendly, caring atmosphere. Another volunteer, who has been with the Pantry since it opened, said, “I just love to help people. Everyone is like family.”

Individuals go through the pantry with the assistance of a volunteer and can shop the shelves for what they need. Stock may vary depending on donations, but generally canned fruits, vegetables and meat are on the shelves along with baking supplies, soups, peanut butter, pasta and cereal. In addition, cleaning supplies, toilet paper and personal hygiene products are available. Milk, fresh produce and frozen meats are also often in stock.
Wellhoefer reports that while they will gladly accept any nonperishable food items, they typically always need cereal, instant oatmeal, canned fruit and canned meat products. They also could use donations of paper products, cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items like soap, shampoo and deodorant.
The Mayville Food Pantry, located in the Christian Life Fellowship Assemblies of God Church at 113 N. Clark St., is open every other Tuesday from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Although the pantry is located in the church, the pantry is a separate entity run by founder Kelly Bauman. The pantry receives no
government funding and provides food for approximately 47 families.
Bauman knows firsthand what it is like to be down on your luck and in need of a helping hand. For this reason, she started up a food pantry 32 years ago in her own home to help others and “pay it forward.” Those who need a little help are invited to come to the pantry during open hours, or in case of an emergency situation, to call Bauman at 920-387-4380. To be eligible, clients do need to complete necessary paperwork and live in Mayville or the surrounding areas of Kekoskee, Iron Ridge and Hustisford.
The Mayville Food Pantry relies primarily on donations from local churches and the public but does receive food from the nonprofit organization Feeding America. It also receives donated bakery and other items from the Mayville Kwik Trips. The pantry will gladly accept any non-perishable food donations and also is in need of toiletries like soap, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Other area food pantries include the Sacred Heart Food Pantry that serves Horicon, Iron Ridge, Juneau and Burnett. Located at 950 Washington St. in Horicon, they serve an average of 60 families and are open every first and third Wednesday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Lomira and Theresa area residents can utilize the food pantry located in Trinity Methodist Church at 300 Church St. in Lomira. The pantry is open from 10-11 a.m. every second and fourth Saturday of the month.
If finances are tight and you need a little help, please check out www.access.wi.org for assistance and try out the local food pantries. If you are blessed with more than you and your family need, please consider donating to your local food pantry and pay it forward.