Empower Pantries on the Front Line

Food insecurity has a huge impact on the overall health of the individual. Many people who use food pantries live in households where members of the family have a disease like high blood pressure or diabetes that could be helped by a diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables. In order for pantries to safely store and distribute these healthy foods, they need to be able to refrigerate them.

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin partnered with UnitedHealthcare to provide 30 pantries with a new commercial cooler and a year of training to develop best practices for improving the sourcing, distribution, and demand for fresh and healthy food. This initiative increased the variety and nutritional quality of foods available to food-insecure households across eastern Wisconsin.

The Salvation Army of Oshkosh provides numerous programs to the homeless and working poor in their area. The pantry was operating with several freezers and one small refrigerator and was happy to be a recipient of a commercial cooler through the grant.

“It’s great being able to not just have canned vegetables in our pantry,” said Lisa Winkler, a social worker at the Salvation Army of Oshkosh. “People get excited about fresh produce and we are trying to encourage people to eat healthier. Families, especially kids, should have access to healthy food.”

Lisa Winkler, Salvation Army of Oshkosh

Clients can visit the pantry once a month to stock up. If they are diabetic or fighting an illness like cancer, they are welcomed back as many times as they need to get the healthy food to help them heal.

“We have an abundance of food and it’s nice that people know if they are hungry they can come here to get food,” explained Lisa. “Even if the pantry isn’t open we will work with their schedule. A lot of families who work during the day still need access to the pantry.”

Mary became a client of the pantry when she was looking for a fresh start. She teared up as she remembered what was a difficult time in her life. “It’s hard remembering that time,” she said. “I had left an abusive relationship and I needed to get some help food-wise. It’s a blessing to have this place.”

Mary visits the pantry to supplement the $21 she receives each month from FoodShare. The pantry has helped her out with more than just food. She also volunteers in the kitchen to keep herself connected to the community while battling depression.

“It keeps the depression at bay,” said Mary. “Originally, volunteering was just getting away from that and then I realized I looked forward to it. They do so much for me. It’s giving back to someone who has helped me.” While volunteering, Mary often tries to help others overcome the fear of using the pantry that has been such a big support for her.

“To some, it is stooping to a whole new level or they don’t want people knowing they are doing it,” she explained. “Knowing that there is help available if they needed it is the main thing; knowing that there is a place in the community they can turn to if the time comes and they need it. I thank the Lord every night for this place.”

Mary looking through a cooler at the Salvation Army Oshkosh food pantry.