New Berlin Food Pantry Offers Assistance To Families In Need

NEW BERLIN, WI—Hunger is not confined to a specific location and demographic. As the pandemic rages on, many families in all walks of life are finding themselves in need of a helping hand.

The New Berlin Food Pantry, 14750 W Cleveland Ave., serves New Berlin, Brookfield, and Elm Grove, residents. The pantry is open on Wednesdays from noon to 5:15 p.m.

Barbara Jacob, the food pantry's assistant director, has been with the organization since 2007. She told Patch there are not only young families coming in but many senior widows who rely on Social Security. The pantry also sees single parents with several children who are working low-paying jobs.

Another reason people come to the pantry is if a person was ill or had surgery and had no income coming in.

"Medical bills throw people into financial disparity," Jacob said.

Jacob said the pantry was able to give temporary help to people who lost their jobs during the pandemic get back on their feet.

The number of clients has increased since last March. In August, 135 families came to the pantry, an increase from 110 families.

Jacob said the pantry has a very kind group of volunteers. Often clients feel embarrassed they are there and are overwhelmed with the amount of food the pantry can give them on a visit.

For Jacob, she enjoys helping people through a tough time and seeing their smiles.

"We brighten up a person's day with something as simple as food and we do that all the time," Jacob said.

Drive-thru pantry

The pandemic has not only impacted residents but how the pantry operates. In mid-March, the pantry developed a contactless method of food delivery.

Clients are not allowed inside but are asked to go through a drive-thru, similar to how restaurants were operating.

Unfortunately, during the pandemic, it means no choices in food selection. Before clients could choose perishables such as bakery, fruits, and vegetables and also get pre-packaged foods.

The food is pre-packaged and clients take a number and pull their car up. Food is loaded into the car and they are on their way.

Often there are children in the car and pantry staff will give them something special like a cookie to bring a smile to their faces.

Residents must show identification and do minimum paperwork.

If the pantry had a resident in dire need from outside the service areas, they would help them and direct them to 211 for pantries in their area.

"We still were able to serve them and not close our doors," she said.

Helping hands

The community has stepped up during a time of uncertainty.

Through cash donations, Jacob said pantry staff has been able to replenish supplies such as buying paper bags. They are no longer allowed to reuse plastic bags and the paper bags are a new item in the pantry's budget.

The pantry also supplies personal products such as toothpaste, soap and toilet paper.

In March, people were panic buying toilet paper and other supplies. Jacob said she was unable to buy those items as it was not available. Normally she tries to pick up a pallet of toilet paper but stores implemented a quantity limit. Thankfully, there have been donations coming into the pantry.

Donations can be dropped off at the pantry or Pick N' Save has barrels for the New Berlin Food Pantry. A check in the mail is also appreciated.

Jacob told Patch it has been incredible the way businesses and individuals have been generous with cash donations.

"Some people have donated their stimulus checks since they didn't need the money," Jacob said.

Big and small businesses have held food drives along with local churches.

"It was overwhelming especially for people who never donated to us before or didn't know we existed," she said.

For more information on the New Berlin Food Pantry visit the Facebook page or the city's website.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.