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Times-Tribune covers how FoodShare changes affect food pantries
Food Pantry
News
January 22, 2023

Times-Tribune covers how FoodShare changes affect food pantries

Times-Tribune covers how FoodShare changes affect food pantries

Media coverage of the upcoming changes to FoodShare benefits has increased in recent days, including a recent story from the Middleton Cross Plains Times-Tribune that includes comments from MOM Executive Director Ellen Carlson:

The end of additional FoodShare dollars is a concern for already overwhelmed food pantries, and the food pantry at Middleton Outreach Ministry (MOM) is no exception. MOM Executive Director Ellen Carlson said on Tuesday, “We are anticipating an increase in need and subsequent increase in usage of the food pantry with the end of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFRCA). According to the Hunger Task Force, the average Foodshare recipient in Wisconsin will lose about $122 on their benefits beginning in March.”

Carlson told the newspaper that pantries were already feeling the strain, and visitors to the pantry have increased.

“Food pantry usage has doubled since this time last year. In addition, we are not getting food from as many sources as we did before the pandemic and the mix of those sources is constantly shifting. In order to bridge the gap between demand for food and donated food, we have been purchasing more food than ever before. We are concerned about having enough food to meet the needs of everyone who relies on our food pantry to provide food for their families,” she explained.

MOM is encouraging local individuals, businesses and organizations to conduct food drives to help bridge the gap.

“Community food donations are a great way to increase diversity of items available, as well. Dignity of choice has always been a priority as we consider what we have to offer our food pantry guests. We also recently launched an Amazon Wish List where people buy high-demand items and send them directly to our food pantry. Food drives can be small or large–among a few neighbors or friends–or larger drives by churches, businesses, or schools.”

To learn more about how to organize a food drive visit: drives.momhelps.org.