Feed My People Banks on Generosity
V1 Staff |
Feed My People Food Bank’s mission is right in its name: Feeding the hungry across the region. With the help of its Eau Claire warehouse and a small fleet of refrigerated trucks, the nonprofit group distributes 6 million pounds of food to more than 60,000 people annually via a network of over 100 hunger-relief organizations. Sara Nemec, Feed My People’s community engagement coordinator, talks about the help the group provides and the help it needs – both during the holidays and year-round.
What’s the difference between a food bank like Feed My People and a soup kitchen or a food pantry?
Feed My People is a distribution center that supplies food and personal care products to pantries, shelters, and community meal programs in west-central Wisconsin. Think of us as the middleman. A pantry is where individuals seeking assistance may receive groceries. We help supply the pantry with those groceries. A soup kitchen or community meal program is where individuals can come and get a warm meal. We help supply the ingredients for that meal.
Who makes use of your services?
Pantries, shelters, and community meal programs use our services. Through their hunger-relief programs, we’re able to assist in feeding the community. Forty-three percent of families visiting a food pantry have at least one employed member and often do not qualify for government assistance. An unexpected medical bill or a lost job can spiral these families into poverty. Seniors and children are especially vulnerable.
How has demand for your services changed in recent years? Does it change during the holiday season?
Since 2008, the number of pounds of food we distribute has tripled. We see demand year-round. There is often an increase in demand during winter and the holiday season as heating costs rise.
What kinds of donations – food, money, or time – do you need during the holidays (or, for that matter, for the rest of the year)?
We can use all of the above. For a $1 donation, we’re able to distribute about $10 worth of food, so monetary donations allow the donor’s dollars to be stretched further. Of course, food donations are always welcome, too. We can accept anything you can purchase at a grocery store, including frozen and refrigerated items. FMP also accepts personal care products. Some in demand items are toilet paper, diapers, soap, laundry detergent, shampoo, and deodorant. A complete wish list and volunteer information can be found at fmpfoodbank.org.
