As FoodShare benefits are set to lapse amid the government shutdown, Milwaukee area pantries, nonprofits and small businesses are stepping up to provide food assistance to affected community members.
FoodShare is Wisconsin’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food aid to individuals who meet income certain requirements. Nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites rely on the program, which is 100% funded by the federal government, according to the state’s Department of Health Services.
Due to the ongoing government shutdown, FoodShare benefits are expected to pause Nov. 1. Beneficiaries can continue using any outstanding funds on their FoodShare cards in November, but new benefits will not be issued until the shutdown ends.
The shutdown, which began Oct. 1, is officially the second longest in history.
Here’s where you can find free or low-cost food assistance in the Milwaukee area as November FoodShare benefits are delayed:
Hunger Taskforce Mobile Market
The Hunger Taskforce’s Mobile Market travels around Milwaukee County each week to provide residents in underserved communities with access to fresh and healthy foods. The market does not sell canned or processed foods, its website notes.
You can find the Mobile Market’s full schedule online at https://www.hungertaskforce.org/what-we-do/mobile-market/.
Gather Bakehouse
Bay View’s Gather Bakehouse, 1100 E. Oklahoma Ave., will offer free loaves of bread and 6-packs of rolls daily beginning Oct. 29, according to a Facebook post. Those interested will need to present a SNAP benefits card and items are limited to one household, while supplies last.
“The shutdown shouldn’t mean anyone goes hungry,” the post said. “If you need bread, please come by. If you don’t, help spread the word.”
Nourish MKE food centers
Nourish MKE operates four community food centers in Milwaukee. Visitors can select their own groceries from a range of fresh produce, non-perishables, dairy, meat and whole grains.
Anyone whose income is below government food assistance guidelines is eligible for the program, though Nourish MKE does not require proof of income. Visitors do need to bring an ID for everyone in their household and a proof of zip code document, according to the Nourish MKE website.
Find hours and locations for the food centers here.
Metcalfe Park community fridge
The community fridge at Tricklebee Café, 4424 W. North Ave., is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. Visitors can pick up fresh produce and other donated food items.
Launched in September, the fridge is a joint effort by Tricklebee Café, Metcalfe Park Community Bridges and One MKE. Tricklebee Café also offers pay-what-you-can meals, including plant-based soups, sandwiches, salads and baked goods.
UMOS food pantry
The UMOS food pantry, 2701 S. Chase Ave., provides food boxes to individuals living in the 53207 and 53221 zip codes in Milwaukee.
First-time visitors living outside these zip codes can also pick up a food box but will be referred to pantries in their current zip code afterwards. Those living in eligible zip codes can pick up a box every 30 days. Every box contains a minimum of 25 pounds of non-perishable foods or, for families, a minimum of 41 pounds of non-perishable foods.
Find more information here.
Mayfair Road Food Pantry
The Mayfair Road Food Pantry, at 4515 N. Mayfair Road in Wauwatosa, is open Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. It serves residents living in the 53210, 53218, 53222, 53224 and 53225 zip codes. You must bring a photo ID and proof of residency.
Find out more information here.
Kinship Community Food Center
The Kinship Community Food Center, 924 E. Clarke St., is open from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. The pantry serves those living in the 53212, 53211, 53217, 53202 and 53203 zip codes.
Find out more information here.
Bay View Community Center
The Bay View Community Center, 1320 E. Oklahoma Ave., is open from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday, as well as from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. The pantry serves those living in the 53207, 53215, 53221 and 53235 zip codes.
Find out more information here.
Salvation Army food pantries
The Salvation Army operates three food pantries in the Milwaukee area: Oak Creek, Greenfield and Milwaukee. Visitors can pick up a two- to three-day supply of emergency food.
Find pantry locations and hours here.
St. Vincent de Paul Meal Program
The St. Vincent de Paul Meal Program serves meals six days a week across two locations in Milwaukee.
The Harambee Kitchen, 2600 N. 2nd St., is open 5:30 to 6:15 pm, Monday to Friday. The Cross Roads Kitchen, 931 W. Madison St., is open 5:30 6:15 pm, Sunday to Friday. Find more information here.
Milwaukee County Senior Dining Program
The Senior Dining Program offers affordable meals to adults over 60 years old at dining sites across Milwaukee County.
Most sites require a reservation ahead of time, and the program has a suggested donation of $3 per diner. You can call (414) 289-6995 for more information, and find a list of dining sites here.
This story will be updated as more information and resources become available.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: FoodShare benefits are set to halt Nov. 1. Here’s where to find food assistance in Milwaukee.
Reporting by Maia Pandey and Cailey Gleeson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
