For the City Times

The Neighborhood Table, a free community meal program, and the South Wood Emerging 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 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Wednesday, July 13, 2016.

“We know the need for food in our area is real,” said Terri Rapp, SWEPS chairperson. “We have seen an increase of more than 200% in the use of our supplemental pantry since last November. We hope these mobile pantries help fill the gap between allowable pantry visits for families.”

In order to qualify for food from the Mobile Food Pantry, participants will need to show proof of south Wood County residency (such as a recent utility bill or current driver’s license) and qualify for any of the various food assistance programs (SNAP, WIC, Quest, free and reduced lunches, etc.). More details about food assistance programs can be found at:  http://www.nutrition.gov/food-assistance-programs.

Participants are required to preregister for this mobile food pantry. This can be done by selecting a time on www.theneighborhoodtable.org or by calling 715-422-2050 weekdays from 8:30 am to 11:30 am. On the day of the event, registered participants should come to the pantry during their selected time to enter the Maple Street parking lot. This preregistration requirement is being done to minimize traffic congestion – do not come early. Those who come to the pantry without being preregistered will be turned away and asked to come back after 3:30 pm to get food if it is still available.

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 may receive include fresh produce, meats, canned goods and other nonperishables.

Details of this and future mobile food pantries are promoted on The Neighborhood Table’s Facebook page, www.theneighborhoodtable.org and the Facebook page of SWEPS of Wisconsin Rapids.

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. More than 115 different groups, businesses and clubs in the area sponsor TNT meals.

Core volunteers of The Neighborhood Table 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. TNT’s Board of Directors guides the organization’s efforts through its Operations Manager. 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.

About the South Wood Emerging Pantry Shelf

The South Wood Emergency Pantry Shelf began in 1975 as a nonprofit organization to provide food to area residents in emergency situations. It has been generously supported by members of the community and the First Congregational Church, 311 – 2^nd Street South, Wisconsin Rapids. The organization grew to serving approximately 4,000 people annually with volunteers provided by local churches.

For more information, please contact Mare DeByl at 715-459-6551, or email [email protected]