Dane County Food Pantries Struggle to Meet Surging Demand as Costs Soar

The number of visits to many Dane County food pantries has more than doubled in the past two years, according to industry leaders. As food prices rise and COVID relief funds run out, pantries are asking individuals and public officials to help address the growing crisis.

Feeding the Community in Challenging Times

Unprecedented Surge in Demand

Dane County, the fastest-growing county in Wisconsin, has seen a staggering increase in the number of people seeking assistance from local food pantries. According to a coalition of 36 Dane County food pantries, the need for their services has more than doubled over the past two years. This surge in demand is driven by a combination of rising food prices and the expiration of COVID-19 relief programs, leaving many households struggling to make ends meet.The coalition's letter to the community, published as an advertisement in the Wisconsin State Journal, highlighted the urgent need for both short-term and long-term solutions to address this crisis. The letter also noted that the situation is likely to worsen as students lose access to free meals during the summer months when schools are out of session.

Stretched Resources and Strained Budgets

Food pantry leaders are working tirelessly to stretch their limited resources, space, and teams to meet the growing demand. Julie Bennett, the CEO and executive director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul-Madison, emphasized the challenges faced by these organizations, stating, "Food pantries have worked hard to stretch our resources, space, and teams as far as possible."The financial strain on food pantries is also significant, as they are spending more money on food than ever before. Mark Thompson, a board member of the Sun Prairie Food Pantry at Sunshine Place, explained that the cost of buying food in bulk has increased, and the supply of free food from various sources has not kept up with the surge in demand.

Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Populations

The issue of food insecurity in Wisconsin is particularly acute, with the Wisconsin Food Security Project reporting that nearly 20% of children in the state lived in food-insecure households in 2019. The disparity in food insecurity between Black and white households in Wisconsin is among the largest in the country, with 33% of Black households experiencing food insecurity, compared to just 7.4% of white households.The end of extra FoodShare benefits and the expiration of other federal pandemic aid programs have exacerbated the situation, leaving many Wisconsin households struggling to make ends meet. This has placed an immense burden on food pantries, some of which are still feeling the effects of these changes.

Calls for Immediate and Long-Term Solutions

Food pantry leaders are urging the community to take action, both in the short term and the long term. They are asking individuals to organize food drives, volunteer their time, and spread awareness about the crisis on social media. Francesca Frisque, the assistant director of the Fritz Food Pantry at the Goodman Community Center, also called on elected officials to develop comprehensive, long-term solutions to address the underlying structural and economic factors driving food insecurity.While the state has taken some steps, such as dropping ID checks at federally-funded food pantries to expand access, a plan to provide grants to hunger relief organizations failed to pass the state Senate in April. Frisque emphasized the importance of addressing food insecurity, stating, "With access to food, kids can learn. Families can work and seniors can stay healthy."As the demand for food assistance continues to rise in Dane County and across Wisconsin, the need for immediate and sustainable solutions has never been more pressing. The dedicated efforts of food pantry leaders and the support of the community will be crucial in ensuring that no one in the region goes hungry.