GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Green Bay officials held a news conference on Wednesday afternoon to remind those facing food insecurity of community resources they can utilize.
The news conference comes as Foodshare benefits for thousands of Northeast Wisconsinites remain in limbo because of the ongoing federal government shutdown. Local food pantry officials told Local 5 News that they usually see a surge in the number of clients this time of year anyways as the holidays approach.
“We know this is a very generous community that we live in,” said Green Bay mayor Eric Genrich. “We are very fortunate in Green Bay, Greater Green Bay, and Brown County to have people and businesses at a drop of a hat willing to step up and do what they can.”
Paul’s Pantry assistant executive director Bob Hornacek said it’s too early in the month to quantify any potential surge in clientele they may be experiencing because of the Foodshare benefit situation.
“Every day we’re open, Paul’s Pantry looks like Festival Foods the day before Thanksgiving,” Hornacek said.
He said that typically they serve about 250-260 families per day at their pantry which comes out to between 20,000 and 25,000 pounds of food. He said right now the community can help them out by donating food or money and volunteering to help out the pantry.
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Hornacek suggested to donate food items that you like to eat yourself, making the point that the people who utilize the pantry are just normal people who like the same food as others in the community.
He said he wants the community to know that the pantry is ready to serve its clients even if there’s a significant surge in need.
“We’ve been able to meet these rising needs for 41 years and we’re confident that we’re going to be able to address whatever need arises because we know how incredibly generous this community is,” Hornacek said. “We are prepared for moments just like this.”
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Officials provided a list of food pantries in the Green Bay area that those experiencing food insecurity can go to for help:
- Calvary Lutheran Church: 1301 S. Ridge Road; 920-494-2431
- First Presbyterian Church: 200 S. Ashland Avenue; 920-437-8121
- First United Methodist Church: 501 Howe Street; 920-437-9252
- Grace Lutheran Church: 321 S. Madison Street; 920-432-0308
- Green Bay First: 1460 Shawano Avenue; 920-497-2800
- Hope Center Pantry: 505 Clinton Street; 920-437-3356
- Living Hope Church: 1840 W. Mason Street; 920-497-8022
- Manna For Life: 1545 University Avenue; 920-437-3629
- Paul’s Pantry: 1520 Leo Frigo Way; 920-433-0343
- Resurrection Lutheran Church: 1024 Shawano Avenue; 920-497-7052
- Rooted In Inc.: 330 S. Broadway Street; 920-676-7506
- Salvation Army: 626 Union Court; 920-497-7053
- St. Paul/San Pablo Lutheran Church: 533 S. Webster Avenue; 920-435-8468
- St. Willebrord Parish Food Pantry: 209 S. Adams Street; 920-435-4343
- The Fridge at Joannes Park: 315 S. Baird Street
- The Fridge at Seymour Par: 520 S. Oakland Avenue
- Timothy Lutheran Church: 330 S. Broadway Street; 920-437-8124
Another resource that those experiencing food insecurity can utilize is the 211 line.
“And it’s that simple, 2-1-1 dial it on the phone,” said Brown County United Way president and CEO Robyn Davis who also spoke at the news conference. “24/7 and there are trained specialists who can connect them to resources in their community and information to help them in this tough time.”
“There are resources out there, people to care for them, this community cares for them,” Genrich added.
Officials at the news conference also stressed that it’s okay to ask for help and people shouldn’t be ashamed if they need to go to a food pantry.
