As many of you know, the government is shut down (simply put). This means that funding for government programs can be limited, strained, and sometimes entirely unavailable. As the shutdown reaches its 36th day (the longest in history), one such program that is feeling the heat is the Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
In short, SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement grocery budgets and help them gain access to nutritious foods.
While in recent days, the current administration has agreed to partially fund the program again, which serves about 1 in 8 Americans – more than 700,000 Wisconsin residents still face food-security challenges. Of those individuals, roughly 266,000 are children who count on the food share benefits.
According to the State Department of Health Services (DHS) data, in Milwaukee County alone, nearly 96,500 children relied on SNAP (called FoodShare here) support during the month of September.
These are your neighbors, friends, coworkers, classmates, community members, and yes, strangers, who could be struggling to afford basic groceries.
We’ve compiled a list of resources for food and monetary donations, as well as food resources if you or someone you know may be seeking groceries or meals.
Food banks, community centers, and other similar resources are seeing an influx individuals in need. So, if you’re in a position to do so, please consider making a donation or finding some way to give back ♥️
Bay View Community Center – Donate or find food
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bay View – Accepting donations
Hunger Task Force – Donate or find food
SNAP Soup at Midwest Sad – Free soup
Text MKEFOOD to 898-211 – Locate food pantries near you
Next Door Food Pantries – List of Milwaukee food pantries
Nourish MKE – Nourish food centers
Gather Bakehouse – free loaves of bread and rolls
Hunger Task Force – Find food and meals
Milwaukee County Food Assistance – Donate or find food + additional resources
Additional resources – Donate or find food