Food Resources and Advocacy

Many of you have expressed concerns over hunger and SNAP loss. JONAH board member and Feed My People staff member Michelle Pride shared the following information to provide us with details and some more upstream support options.

• At any given time in our 14-county service area, there are almost 47,000 people receiving FoodShare benefits. They equate to over $6.5M per month.
• In Eau Claire county – there are over 10,000 people receiving FoodShare benefits. They equate to more than $1.5M per month.
• For every pound of food the food pantries provide nationwide, FoodShare provides 9 pounds. Our food banks and pantries are in no way going to be able to replicate what FoodShare does.  We do not have the funding or the infrastructure, and food is not available to cover the gap.
• The people receiving FoodShare in WI are children, working families, senior citizens, and others in difficult situations who QUALIFY because of their low income.

What can we do? 

• Support the emergency food system doing their best to ensure everyone has enough to eat – food banks, pantries, meal sites. 
• Contact legislators to end the federal government shutdown. While SNAP is front and center right now, healthcare coverage, pay for both working and furloughed federal  employees, and other programs and supports are in jeopardy. Demand better!
• Contact schools to see what may be helpful for families who struggle.
• Take care of each other. Reach out to family, friends, neighbors and help where you are able.

We are also sharing this page of resources from one of our community partners, the Eau Claire Health Alliance.

Key message: Keep using WIC and FoodShare benefits. Make sure that your information is up to date so you can receive notices about what is happening with the programs.

There are community resources available to help bridge the gaps.

• The Community Table serves a free daily meal, 365 days a year, no questions asked. Visit www.thecommunitytable.org/about to view the meal schedule and learn more about other resources and supplies they have available.
  • Looking to help? The Community Table always need volunteers—find more information here: The Community Table Eau Claire | Volunteer Hub | Join Volunteer Efforts Today

• Feed My People Food Bank has several pop-up pantries. When you drive up to one of these free grocery distribution events, food items will be loaded directly into your vehicle by volunteers. No ID is required to qualify. You may pick up for another household if needed. Check here for more information: pop-up_calendar.pdf
  • Looking to help?: Feed My People Food Bank always needs volunteers. Find information about how to volunteer or donate online here: Volunteer | Feed My People Food Bank

Additional food resources can be found in the attached pamphlets.

The Chippewa Valley Food Pantry trifold gives people information about where they can access food in the Chippewa valley (Eau Clarie, Dunn, and Chippewa Counties)

The ADRC Food and Clothing Options handout gives additional information about where people can access food and clothing resources in Eau Claire County. Some of the information overlaps with the Chippewa Valley Food Pantry trifold, but there are also additional resources listed.