Distribution moved to parking lot
By Angie Landsverk
The Waupaca Area Food Pantry’s food distribution moved to its parking lot on March 20, to reduce the risk of exposing clients and volunteers to COVID-19.
“We provided 4,550 pounds of food to 39 families in less than two hours, a total of 71 people served. This is a record number of families visiting our pantry. That’s the equivalent of three distribution days’ worth of food,” said Kathy Jenner.
She is the pantry’s volunteer operations manager.
The “no touch” distribution of prepacked food bags continues this way until further notice.
In addition, the pantry canceled its usual Monday distribution to give volunteers time to assemble new packages that day and also on Tuesday for Wednesday’s distribution.
That was after running out of prepacked food bags and supplies to pack the food kits on March 20.
Located at 800 Churchill St., the pantry is typically open from 9-11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
In addition to the March 25 distribution, the pantry planned to be open Friday, March 27 as well.
Jenner said the pantry’s days and hours are in flux.
She directs those who visit it to check the pantry’s Facebook page for further updates.
Jenner noted Fond du Lac’s food pantry is much larger and usually open four days a week.
It has gone to two days a week, she said.
“We think we have plenty of food right now and are assured by the state that the TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) truck deliveries will continue, but all still to be determined,” Jenner said.
Eligibility
Waupaca’s food pantry is open to Waupaca School District residents.
Between 150 and 250 families visit it each month, Jenner said.
People may visit the pantry once every 30 days.
There are income requirements, which people may learn by calling the pantry at 715-256-1645.
“We try to give enough food that will last about two weeks,” Jenner said.
She said it is still an emergency food pantry.
New plan
The decision to change the distribution procedure was made March 18, she said.
The pantry was closed that day after being open as usual March 16.
The March 18 meeting was to determine what to do after guidelines for public gatherings changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
They reviewed their prevention measures, distribution methods and protocols.
Jenner said volunteers then put together bags of food for families of one to three and more that day and assembled more bags a day later.
While food aid organizations were exempt from Gov. Tony Evers’ moratorium on gatherings of more than 10 people, Jenner said the food pantry was trying to limit the number of volunteers working together to keep them safe and prevent unnecessary risks.
She said most of the pantry’s board members and volunteers are 65 and older, and in the vulnerable risk category.
“Our volunteer force is dwindling,” Jenner said. “We are trying to keep regular hours despite losing about 40% of our volunteers.”
She said some volunteers are willing to be there, but their spouses are nervous for them.
Some volunteers are taking care of others who are sick in their household.
Others have underlying health issues or are self-quarantining, Jenner said.
She said with such a fluid situation, they are constantly evaluating staffing and availability.
“Many of us worked straight through last week on pantry operations,” Jenner said.
She said they needed the weekend to rest.
Donations
Bags were donated to the pantry for its new distribution system.
Fleet Farm donated two cases of bags, totaling 100 bags.
Organizers of the Iola Car Show donated eight cases of cloth bags featuring old advertising.
“They were literally a godsend,” Jenner said Monday. “Today gloved up volunteers continued bagging food kits to get ready.”
Clients are not allowed inside the pantry during this time.
They pull up to the pantry, park and stay in their vehicles.
A volunteer gives them a number and processes their visit at the vehicle.
Clients need to have their ID and proof of address ready.
Volunteers process the pantry orders and bring the bags of food to the vehicles.
Food donations are currently not being accepted at the pantry.
Wisconsin’s Emergency Food Assistance Program office said pantries should suspend household food drives and donations.
Pantries do not have the workforce, space, protective gear and sanitizing supplies to process, sort and store the food.
Prior to that announcement, Jenner had already said monetary donations are the best option right now.
“We can target what we need,” she said.
Checks may be sent to: Waupaca Area Food Pantry, P.O. Box 565, Waupaca, WI 54981.