Feeding Wisconsin is the state association of the six regional Feeding America food banks that provide food to over 1,000 local food programs in all 72 counties of the state. Together, we provide 65 million meals annually to over 360,000 people in every corner of our state.
Our mission is to help our food banks, partners, and public fight hunger, improve health and strengthen local communities. Through our food banks and food pantries, we work to ensure that everybody has access to the food and benefits they need to work, learn, play and live healthy lives.
Together, we are leading the way Forward together toward a healthy and hunger-free Wisconsin. For more information, please visit our website at www.FeedingWI.org
The current crisis is likely to reverse decreases in food insecurity that have occurred over the past decade as Wisconsinites are newly experiencing food insecurity as they are experiencing economic hardships as a result of COVID-19, alongside those who were experiencing food insecurity before the COVID-19 crisis began. A recent report compiled by Feeding America National (https://www.feedingamericaaction.org/the-impact-of-coronavirus-on-food-insecurity/) projects an increase in childhood hunger in Wisconsin from 14.1% in 2018 to a projected 22.9% in 2020, meaning almost 1 in 4 children may experience food insecurity), with the level of greatest need likely peaking in Fall of 2020. Most of our food banks are anticipating needing to double the food they will distribute in the coming year and double their budget to accommodate these needs in the coming year.
The contributions will be distributed to our regional food banks to support emergency food distribution during COVID-19 response. The funds are being used primarily to purchase nutritious shelf-stable and fresh food to pack family sized boxes to distribute to pantries and directly to those in need at mobile pantries. These efforts are helping families to not have to worry where their next meal will come from during these uncertain times.
