This article was by written by journalists at USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin newspapers and reposted to this website for informative purposes only.

If you haven’t been to a food pantry before, it could be a big step to decide to make a visit. But don’t worry — you’re not alone.

Demand at food pantries across Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin’s network has gone up 30% since fall 2022, said Matt Stienstra, director of advocacy and community engagement of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.

“That’s when inflation started kicking up and grocery prices and the prices of other goods started rising,” Stienstra said.

Many of the people coming in for the first time recently are senior citizens and families with kids, Stienstra said. He doesn’t expect demand to go down soon.

“We were already facing a world over the past couple of years where folks had less food and less ability to buy food in the grocery store,” Stienstra said.

For those who are using a food pantry for the first time, the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin put together a guide about what you need to know ahead of your visit. Learn how to use a pantry and what you should bring to your first visit to a food pantry.

All food pantries are not the same, so you may want to test-run a couple different ones in your area to find the one that best fits your family’s schedule and needs. You can find a pantry using Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin’s pantry locator at FeedingAmericaWI.org/find-a-pantry.

What should I bring?

That depends on the food pantry. Many area pantries will ask you to bring a photo ID or a proof of residence sometimes but fewer pantries are requiring paperwork at all to make food more accessible to people, said Abby Beau, director of partnerships at Feeding America Eastern America.

Some pantries will also collect data for their own records like the number of people in your household or ask for your household’s income. But the pantry shouldn’t ask you anything beyond that or require you to verify why you’re stopping in.

“A lot of folks will expect to have to share some proof of crisis or need when they show up at pantries, but that’s very rarely the case,” Beau said.

The county’s Aging and Disability Resource Center provides an updated list of food pantries in the area with the pantry’s distribution hours and any paperwork you need to bring on a visit for each site.

Different pantries, different schedules

With the number of pantries in the area, you’ll be able to find one that fits your routine. Pantries are open to pickup food on different days, so it’s important to call ahead before stopping by to see when they are open for distribution. Some larger pantries are open more days of the week, while some may offer pickup only a couple hours a week.

Pantries will also have different shopping experiences. Some allow everyone to grab a cart and shop for their own items in the pantry, while others will prepare a bag in advance and bring it out to your car. Meanwhile, some offer appointments outside of distribution hours. The shopping experience can depend on the number of volunteers available or how many donations the pantry has on-hand.

“First time visitors can feel some sense of relief when they realize that they can show up as if it was their corner store and maybe pick their own items,” Beau said.

What kind of food can I get?

Pantries typically offer a mix of fresh groceries from gardens, meat, or non-perishable items such as canned food, granola bars, water bottles, or cereal. They can also provide other hygiene items like paper towels or toilet paper.

It can change depending on what donations the pantry gets or if a specific pantry accepts federal or state food assistance, said Abby Schulte, pantry coordinator at the Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay. Pantries like the Salvation Army get more visitors as the holidays approach, so a restock in donations is important at this time of year.

“We pack each of our bags very intentionally to try and give you all the resources to make meals,” Schulte said.

Anyone can use a food pantry

You won’t be charged for food or have to bring a donation in exchange for food at a pantry. You don’t have to be in an immediate crisis, either.

Pantries are available to whoever needs food or support.

Several area pantries also allow anyone to visit even if you don’t live directly in the neighborhood.

“Don’t be nervous — everyone needs to eat food and needs the nutrition that food gives us to fuel their bodies to do all the things in your life,” Schulte said. “We have some of the best staff and volunteers that are going to welcome you no matter your circumstances or your story with open arms.”

You can find a pantry using Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin’s pantry locator at FeedingAmericaWI.org/find-a-pantry.