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Community Leaders have arranged to meet and discuss food availability in Chippewa Falls and determine ways to improve food security in not only Chippewa, but in other counties such as Eau Claire. A group of 30 community leaders met for the first time June 14 at the Chippewa County Courthouse, where members of local food pantries, non-profit organizations, and community representatives had the chance to unite their efforts to better provide for families who are in need. Although the focus of the first meeting was strictly a venue for supportive groups to discuss current issues and ideas, the goal is to organize all their efforts under one larger organization. Rhonda Brown says the question driving their effort is, “Are our community members basic needs being met?” Brown is the director of Community Health Development HSHS Division (Western WI) and Chippewa Health Improvement partnership at St. Joseph’s Hospital. She adds that the group is determining whether another food pantry should be opened or if they should concentrate their efforts into aiding existing ones, among other issues.

Brown is not alone in this endeavor. Emily Moore, director of Feed My People Food Bank, and Kathryn Magnuson, a Stout grad student, along with long list of other community members are also involved. The group members are attacking this head on, beginning with food audits, surveys, assessments of local food stores, networking, action teams, and data collecting. The information will provide an insight as to where the group should direct their energies. On July 11 at 8am the third meeting will be held at the Saint Francis’s Building. “Anybody can come to the meeting. There’s work for anybody,” Brown states enthusiastically. 

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