Many community food pantries in the Midwest are seeing an increase in customers, because of financial hardship and other problems. At the La Crosse Family YMCA on Monday, a group of community leaders led a public discussion about ways to reduce food insecurity among families. YMCA community outreach director Jennie Melde says the Y gets many requests to add people to their Mobile Market program, “especially families in our school districts, and how can we partner with school districts to refer families, and get them the needed resources to help them just get by, a little bit extra, until they can make it.” An audience at the La Crosse Family Y hears a discussion about community food needs, The Y works with the Feeding America and Feeding Wisconsin programs, along with a food bank in Rochester, to help provide fresh food to hundreds of area households. Jackie Anderson from Feeding Wisconsin appreciates how companies such as Kwik Trip can make food available to food banks, by sending it to pantries rather than disposing of it before it expires. “We are having conversations with retailers that we maybe didn’t in the past,” Anderson said, “to ask if they’re willing to provide additional food.” FILE: La Crosse YMCA staffers and members prepare meals for area families in 2024 (PHOTO: Brad Williams) Anderson added that government can help out with food access for those who have not been able because of low income or other reasons to regain enough access to healthy food. The post La Crosse area groups discuss food insecurity appeared first on WIZM 92.3FM 106.7FM 1410AM. [TheTopNews] Read More.
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