Food Pantry Cuts the Ribbon on New Digs

It was an afternoon to celebrate the completion of a long journey Friday as organizers officially cut the ribbon at the .

The afternoon event was an invitation-only celebration for members of the pantry, community organizations and donors that contributed more than $500 to pantry. About 40 representatives from the school district, Village Board, Menomonee Falls Police Department and community clubs were on hand.

From noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, pantry organizers are opening the doors of the facility for everyone for tours. Guests are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to the event.

“One of the things we’ve discovered over the past two years is that it really does take a village,” said Robin Manke, director of the pantry. “We want to thank all the community leaders, area businesses and all the many volunteers that have devoted so much time to make this dream a reality.”

Construction of the 2,400-square-foot distribution center at the pantry's new location, N85W15382 Menomonee River Pkwy, started earlier this summer. The village that is attached to the new distribution center. The pantry currently serves about 400 to 500 families in the area.

“Given the difficult economic times we are experiencing, we anticipate the need will continue to grow,” Manke said.

There wasn’t enough time during the sunny Fall-like afternoon to thank all the community members that stepped up to help. However, the variety of contributions highlighted by Manke emphasized the importance of a community rallying together for a good cause.

Pantry volunteer board member Larry Burg has certainly been a familiar face in the village. For the past several months, he’s been the legs of the pantry selling , collecting food items and taking on any other task necessary to help the non-profit organization reach its goals.

“If you see me coming into your place of business, please don’t run and hide. Sometimes I’m actually there to buy things,” Burg joked to the crowd while holding his canine companion, Bailey, is his arm.

Manke commended , which has raised over $27,000 for the pantry’s building project. The grant to the organization, and the pantry also received a $15,000 donation . 

Trysting Place owner, Sal Zizzo, also presented the pantry with a $500 donation before the ribbon cutting. The money was raised during a golf outing in August.

Former school district Superintendent Dr. Keith Marty also gave the pantry and extra year in the Hiawatha School building to continue operations before the facility was closed. The closure of the Hiawatha building was the impetus to build the new facility.

“The food pantry found itself without a home, but what was a crisis turned into an opportunity,” Manke said.

Countless others have contributed over the past few years either volunteering their time, food items or money to ensure the future of a needed service to the community.

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 p.m. to 2 p.m. and in the evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.  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.