Clintonville Food Pantry president Dave Schmidt fills an order.

By Jeff Hoffman, Clintonville Area Community Foundation Board member

Demand for food assistance is rising at an extraordinary rate during this pandemic, just as the nation’s food banks are being struck by shortages of both donated food and volunteer workers.

That’s why the Clintonville Area Foundation  brought the need for a grant  to the Clintonville Area Food Pantry to the attention of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region.  The $1,500 grant is from the COVID-19 Community Response Fund within the Community Foundation, which was established by the Community Foundation and United Way Fox Cities.

The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region brought the fund to the Clintonville Area Foundation Board’s attention and members designated the area food pantry as a good place for this funding.

Incoming local board president Jill Cassiani says members were unanimous in feeling that the food pantry was an important community resource, particularly in times like these.  Outgoing president Mike Hankins contacted local food pantry president Dave Schmidt.  “Dave’s board approved the idea and the Community Foundation walked Dave through the process of securing the grant,” Hankins said.

“We really appreciate the region staff alerting us and following through with the Food Pantry to make this happen,” Cassiani added.

Schmidt says a lot of the money will be used at local stores for extra eggs, milk and cereal for families with young children.  “Hopefully we will be able to buy enough to get us through to September when the kids go back to school,” he said. “The Food Pantry is thankful for the community response grant, and the outpouring of support from the community has been fantastic.”

The demand for the food pantry’s help has remained steady and is expected to increase. Schmidt said they help about 120 families a month with 40 to 50 families coming to them each week for assistance.

The Clintonville Area Foundation is one of five geographic affiliates we partner with in the Fox Valley. Our other partners include Brillion Area Family of Funds, Chilton Area Community Foundation, Shawano Area Community Foundation and Waupaca Area Community Foundation.