Behind every Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit delay is a parent deciding whether to skip meals so their children can eat, a senior citizen stretching their medication budget to afford groceries, a working family forced to choose between paying rent and buying food, and a child going to school hungry. Our local food pantries/providers are already operating at capacity. Facing this level of increased demand, they could use significant
community support.

Due to recent federal reductions in funding for the SNAP-Education program, counties across Wisconsin are facing tough decisions about how to sustain local food access and nutrition education efforts. In Fond du Lac County, this important work will continue through the Fond du Lac County Health Department. Following discussions by the County Board on Nov. 4, the Health Department will assume responsibility for these efforts by revising the role of the Health Educator position. This transition will ensure continued support for local food pantries and broader food security initiatives across the county.

Approximately 10,000 Fond du Lac County residents are expected to experience delays and receive partial benefits for November. “Our local food pantry, like others, is seeing an increase of families utilizing the pantry,” said Ellen Simon, Executive Director of Fondy Food Pantry. “We are doing all we can to ensure our neighbors have access to food, but we can’t do it alone. Every donation and volunteer hour truly makes a difference.” Fond du Lac County is raising awareness of this growing need and encouraging community members to take action—whether through donations, volunteering, or supporting local food security efforts.

Here are a few ways you can help our community:

• Organize a Food Drive/Donate Food: Rally your workplace, school, faith community, community group or neighborhood to collect non-perishable food items. Shelf-stable items such as canned fruits and vegetables, soups, beans, pasta, rice, peanut butter, canned tuna or chicken, and cereal are always needed. Plastic jars are preferred over glass. Many local pantries have a list of needed items available on their website.
• Give Financially: Monetary donations allow pantries to purchase food items at a discounted rate and fill gaps as needed.
• Volunteer Your Time: Many pantries depend on volunteers to sort food, assist with distribution, and help families.
• Spread Awareness: Share information about local food pantries and meal sites so those in need know where to turn.
• Advocate: Contact your elected representatives at the state and federal level. Let them know that food security is a priority for you and that all families deserve to eat. Share your concerns on social media and in conversations with neighbors. Collective voices create change, and our elected officials need to hear that this issue matters to all of us.

Local Resources
A list of Fond du Lac County food pantries and meal programs is available at www.fonddulac.extension.wisc.edu/fonddu-lac-county-food-resources/ or through a Google Maps resource found on the Fond du Lac County Health
Department’s Facebook Page. Residents in need of food assistance can also contact their local pantry directly or by visiting 211.org or calling 211.

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