Letter from the Chief Development Officer

As the days get longer and the weather warms up, thoughts naturally turn to the upcoming summer break. Vacations, pool days, picnics, and freedom from the school bell are just ahead!

That freedom from the routine of school is great, unless you have children who rely on accessing free and reduced-price meal programs at school. Many families are figuring out how to provide enough food for three meals a day — and snacks! — during the months those breakfasts and lunches are no longer available. And the recent cuts to FoodShare and Medicaid have left thousands of families feeling unsure of how they’ll afford what they need.

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When Carie Faced a Crisis, You Stepped Up

Carie has been a member of the Painting Pathways Clubhouse (PPC) in Manitowoc, a mental health resource, for three years. She manages the garden, where she plants fruits and vegetables that enrich meals made from the pantry’s resources.

“I like a lot of healthy food,” Carie says. “If I’m struggling, they make sure I eat.”

PPC’s food pantry, a partner of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, supports Carie and her three children, particularly during the summer when school is out. Summertime can be a really challenging season for families because it means the end of free or reduced-price school breakfasts and lunches. And if child care is needed during the summer, that’s another big expense.

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This Grateful Dad Can Breathe a Sigh of Relief

Summer can be an especially challenging season. Eric, a hardworking dad, knows that story all too well.

While he’s in between jobs, Eric works part-time with delivery services like DoorDash to help supplement his family’s limited income. His wife stays at home due to health issues and focuses on providing child care for their five young children.

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Meeting the Growing Need in Our Communities

Jack is the Operations Manager of the Jim Luther New Hope Center on the south side of Milwaukee. He’s been familiar with the food bank scene for a couple of years now, formerly working as a Volunteer Coordinator at the Kinship Community Food Center in Milwaukee.

Sadly, since he first joined the Jim Luther New Hope Center, Jack has seen the need for food assistance nearly double.

“My first couple months here, we were probably getting between 30 to 45 families per day,” Jack says. “I’d say we probably have increased our numbers by 50%.”

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Greg Finds Joy in Shared Gratitude

Greg decided to start volunteering for two very simple reasons.

“Everything’s so expensive, and people need help,” he says.

It’s no secret that times have been hard for our neighbors facing hunger. Major cutbacks in government funding have left many with higher expenses and tighter budgets.

At one point in his life, Greg sought support for himself at his local pantry. Now, he’s in a position to help — and he sees the need for food assistance is back on the rise.

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