GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – The Resurrection Food Pantry recently reached a milestone—not only for the number of families it has helped with healthy, free food but also for the families it has helped become self-sufficient.
“When I started volunteering at this pantry, we were a small congregation and were not able to keep up with the demands,” recalled Food Pantry Manager Larry Peterson. “So, I went to four other churches in the area, and three of them said, ‘We’ll help support this.’ One of them wanted to build their own pantry but said, ‘Our neighborhood doesn’t need a pantry, so we’ll adopt you.’ They currently contribute half of my operating budget.”
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In January, the pantry helped 321 households, or 900 individuals.
This followed an incredible 2024, during which they distributed 271,465 pounds of food.
Over the past two years, they have also helped 602 households become self-sufficient, meaning they no longer need the pantry.
It is a key goal as part of the Hunger Task Force Hunger Relief Federation, organized by Hunger Task Force.
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“The primary way we do that is by connecting people to FoodShare, which is also known as SNAP,” explained Hunger Task Force CEO Matt King. “It’s called SNAP across the country. In Wisconsin, it’s known as FoodShare. It gives families who qualify a grocery benefit to buy food that is culturally and nutritionally relevant for their family.”
Anybody running a pantry will tell you that it is not supposed to be an ongoing source of food. Rather, it is a safety net for emergencies and that first dignified step back.
“Helping people when they fall, as good neighbors do,” added King. “So they can transition from that hard time back to good times.”
Local 5’s Michele McCormack saw this work firsthand when she worked for Hunger Task Force before joining WFRV.
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The food pantry at Resurrection is open in the morning on the first, second and third Thursdays starting at 9:30 a.m. It is open in the evening on the fourth and fifth Thursdays starting at 5:30 p.m.
It is located at 1024 Shawano Ave. in Green Bay.
