Food Pantry in Dire Need of Donations

Menomonee Falls Area Food Pantry Director Robin Manke can’t remember the last time stocks of food were as low as they are now at the organization.

“It’s very low. Probably the lowest I’ve ever seen it. When we were doing the capital campaign and moving into the new building we were low because we were using the funds for the building. Now, it’s even lower than that,” Manke said.

The pantry is in need of staple food items like tuna fish, canned chicken (and other canned meats), coffee, canned fruit, canned beets, carrots, spinach, cream and chunky soups, flour, sugar, oil, and cake mixes. Traditional giving holidays have past, and students who receive free lunches during the school year rely more on the pantry’s services in the summer months. It's put a strain on the amount of food available.

Donations can be dropped off at the pantry’s new facility on Riverview Parkway behind Trenary Field.

The Menomonee Falls Food Pantry has operated since 1983 when it was established because of layoffs at Briggs & Stratton. It’s been run by a group of 12 churches and each church has a volunteer coordinator.

The pantry is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. and in the evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.  However, food can be dropped off 24 hours a day. The churches provide labor for stocking and day checking the food as well as servicing the clients that come through.

Those interested in making financial contributions to the Food Pantry can do so by sending checks made out to the “Falls Food Pantry” and sending them to P.O. Box 238, Menomonee Falls, WI 53052.  For more information, call (414) 218-7945.