Hope Center Pantry experienced a considerable year-over-year increase in the number of clients facing food insecurity in the Green Bay area. The pantry recorded staggering statistics from August 2024. The pantry served 493 households, compared to 374 households in August 2023. The 493 families represent 1,623 individuals – 874 adults and 749 children. In 2023, the panty served 1,425 adults and children. Plus, of the 493 families who picked up free food in August 2024, 109 were new clients.
Monthly Food Pick-Up
Clients are permitted to pick up free food from the panty once a month during the hours of 1-3pm Monday through Thursday. The only exception is for veterans and active military personnel who can pick up free food once a week.
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
Hope Center Pantry believes that access to nutritious food is critical to good health and well-being. We strive to get food into the homes of people who need it. We are extremely fortunate to have the support from the West Side Catholic parishes of Annunciation, St. Agnes, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Joseph, St. Jude, Nativity and St. Patrick and many others in the community. Together, we can help break the cycle of poverty.
Hope Center Pantry benefited tremendously from a jubilee grant from the Norbertines! On a beautiful, sunny day in May, the Norbertine Community at St. Norbert Abbey presented four checks totaling $100,000 to four local Brown County food pantries.
Hope Center Pantry was one of the fortunate recipients. The Norbertines chose to recognize the 900th anniversary of the founding of the Norbertine Order, which started in France in 1121. So, starting in 2021 they have designated jubilee grants that have been distributed both locally and internationally to nonprofit organizations that assist those in need.
How did Hope Center Pantry use this generous donation? The panty purchased groceries to stock the pantry storage room.
As rent, food, and gas costs continue to rise in Wisconsin, more people experience food insecurity. Over and over again, the pantry clients express genuine appreciation when we provide them with a substantial amount of food. We are grateful to the Norbertine Community for supporting the pantry.
Hunger is a real problem in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and donors like the Norbertines are part of the solution. Thank you for donating to Hope Center Pantry to help end hunger in Green Bay. Contact the pantry to learn how you can support the pantry with financial donations or nonperishable food donations.
What a fantastic way to begin the New Year 2023! Save-A-Lot grocery store on Dousman Street in Green Bay organized a “Holiday Kindness” food collection. Save-A-Lot donated 85 bags of groceries to Hope Center Pantry. Hope Center Pantry is extremely grateful for this holiday food drive organized by this Green Bay West Side merchant. Special thanks to the grocery store’s management for organizing the holiday food drive. Also, thanks to Save-A-Lot customers who purchased and donated these groceries.
Holiday Food Drive Helps Pantry Feed 471
Events like this holiday food drive are so important, especially since the Hope Center Pantry served a record number of clients in January. Hope Center Pantry served 471 clients – representing a total of 1,774 family members – in January 2023. In February, the number of clients decreased a bit.
COVID-19 FoodShare Benefits Ended
Hope Center Pantry directors predict that the need for food assistance will rise again in the spring and summer. That’s because the federal government’s COVID-19 benefit program ended. Starting in 2020, FoodShare members received extra benefits each month as part of the federal COVID-19 pandemic relief program. The extra FoodShare benefits ended in February. Fortunately, with the help of donations like those from Save-A-Lot shoppers, Hope Center Pantry is stocked and ready to provide food assistance for residents of Brown County, Wisconsin.
Pantry Hours & Eligibility Requirements
Hope Center Pantry is open from 1-3pm Monday through Thursday at 505 Clinton St. Green Bay, Wisconsin. People accepting food are asked to present a picture ID and a current piece of mail. If either of these forms of identification is not available, clients can talk with the Hope Center Pantry staff to find other possible ways to qualify for food assistance. No income verification is necessary. Hope Center Pantry encourages anyone who is in a rough spot, even temporarily, to stop by the food bank.
When a Green Bay homeless shelter had a dire need for “to go” meals for its non-sheltered guests, Hope Center Pantry came to their aid. Hope Center Pantry now collaborates with St. John’s Ministries – in Green Bay Wisconsin’s cold weather months (November through April).
Pantry Begins Outreach to Homeless Shelter
To start, Hope Center Pantry directors met with the St. John’s Ministries staff to find ways to use Pantry resources to help non-sheltered guests. Some of St. John’s Ministries’ non-sheltered guests need “to go” meals to eat, but these guests cannot get to Hope Center Pantry to pick up food. Some of the guests work night shifts and need a mid-shift meal at work. Additionally, for various reasons, St. John Ministries occasionally tuns away people experiencing homelessness. However, St. John Ministries still tries to provide these individuals with a nutritious meal to take with them. So, Hope Center Pantry started a community outreach program with St. John’s Ministries in December 2021.
Dietician-Inspired ‘To Go’ Meals
Here’s what happened. Hope Center Pantry worked with a registered dietician to develop a variety of meal options. Guided by the dietician, Hope Center Pantry developed “to go” meals with three important characteristics:
All of the food had to be shelf stable and need no refrigeration.
The majority of the meals could not require heating.
All of the foods had to be easy to chew. Many of the meal recipients experience pain associated with chewing hard foods (e.g., no beef jerky).
100 Sack Lunches for the Hungry in Green Bay
Hope Center Pantry initially provided 50 meals to the homeless shelter, and that quickly grew to 100 “to go” meals each month. A typical “to go” sack lunch contains protein, fruit, carbs and a healthy granola bar, along with a drink mix packet.
Students & Volunteers Pack ‘To Go’ Meals
High school students that need community service hours and Hope Center Pantry volunteers assemble these meals. The case managers at St. John Ministries distribute the Hope Center Pantry flyer to guests who can drive to the pantry. Hope Center Pantry is open from 1-3pm Monday – Thursday at 505 Clinton St., Green Bay.
Breakfast for St. John’s Ministries
In addition to the “to go” meals, St. John’s Ministries homeless shelter needed high protein breakfast food. Hope Center Pantry committed to providing 144 eggs (12 dozen) every month. The homeless shelter staff boils the eggs and provides them to their guests. Additionally, Hope Center Pantry donated 1,200 paper plates, 300 paper bowls, and 600 Styrofoam cups which was a crucial need for St. John’s Homeless Shelter to feed their guests. St. John’s Ministries homeless shelter and Hope Center Pantry formed a perfect partnership, working together to best serve the underprivileged in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Help us Bring Healthy Meals to the Homeless
As a 501(c)3 charitable organization, Hope Center Pantry looks for ways to collaborate with other Green Bay-area nonprofits. Together, we can make a lasting impact on people in need. Please consider donating food, time, or financial resources to Hope Center Pantry, a Green Bay, Wisconsin, Catholic outreach organization. Contact us to learn more.