For the City Times

The Neighborhood Table, a free community meal program, and the South Wood Emergency Pantry Shelf (SWEPS) have again partnered with Feeding America of Eastern Wisconsin to bring a Mobile Food Pantry truck to Wisconsin Rapids. 

Plans call for distributing food in the south parking lot of the United Methodist Church of Wisconsin Rapids at 441 Garfield Street, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Wednesday, May 27, 2015.

In order to qualify for food from the Mobile Food Pantry, participants will need to show proof of Wood County residency (such as a recent utility bill or driver’s license) and qualify for any of the various food assistance programs (such as SNAP, WIC, Quest, free and reduced lunches, etc.).

More details of food assistance programs can be found at: http://www.nutrition.gov/food-assistance-programs. Participants should enter the Maple Street parking lot to register. To avoid traffic congestion, participants are asked to arrive no earlier than 3:00 pm based on the first letter of the driver’s last name as follows: A through L – 3-4:30 PM, and M through Z – 4:30-6 PM.

At the Mobile Food Pantry participants will be asked for demographic information including family size and a breakdown of household members into age groups. Participants are asked to bring sturdy containers for the food they will be given. Foods that participants will receive include fresh produce, meats, canned goods and other nonperishables.

Interested parties can be notified of more details of this Mobile Food Pantry and future pantries by liking The Neighborhood Table’s Facebook page or visiting www.theneighborhoodtable.org. More general information about mobile food pantries may be found at Feeding America’s Mobile Food Pantry program. Otherwise, questions can be directed to (715) 422-1995

About The Neighborhood Table

The Neighborhood Table (TNT) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable organization with the mission to reduce hunger, improve the quality of life and create an awareness of the needs that exist in the Wisconsin Rapids community and surrounding area. The organization was formed in late 2003 and has grown to serving approximately 20,000 meals annually on 75 meal dates. TNT meals are served every Thursday and the last two Tuesdays of each month. Over 110 different groups, businesses and clubs in the area sponsor TNT meals.

The Neighborhood Table is staffed by volunteers who carry out the meal/soup kitchen program by offering a free meal to anyone in need. Meals are served from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Wisconsin Rapids, 441 Garfield Street, Wisconsin Rapids. Take-out meals are available on Thursdays only by calling 715-422-1980. The Neighborhood Table is governed by its Board of Directors. The program serves the communities of Wisconsin Rapids, Nekoosa, Port Edwards and surrounding areas in central Wisconsin. To learn more about TNT, available volunteer opportunities, or to make a donation, please visit www.theneighborhoodtable.org.