Flood creates need for food for local service provider

It’s safe to say no one expected the flood that created so much destruction this past June.

The event created a stress that has yet to be fully relieved. Replacement of items, clean up and in many cases temporary or permanent relocation is costly. Households are forced to choose between basic living costs and putting their lives and homes back together.

Yes, we may argue about things like politics, government, health care or a host of other issues, but when disaster strikes our community, we set aside our differences. And true to form, the residents of the Northland picked themselves up, lent a helping hand to others and moved forward with their lives.

But there is a hidden disaster left by the flood waters — food insecurity.

In the past month Northwest Wisconsin Community Services Agency, Inc. has seen a sudden rise in the number of people in need; that’s what we’re here for, meeting needs, but right now we are having difficulty doing that. Solid Rock Safe Haven, NWCSA’s soup kitchen, often has standing room only at meal time and our food pantry now contains only three of the six food groups ordinarily available.

Like those who suffered from the flood damage, we too are in need.

Recently we were awarded a $2,000 grant from the Duluth/Superior Foundation to help replenish our shelves; we are grateful for this donation and thank the foundation for their support. This grant will provide a two-week supply of nonperishable food items.

Like many of you, we too have a shopping list. The items we need include tuna, peanut butter, canned meats, canned fruit, bottled or canned juice, cereal, macaroni and cheese, soup, pasta, rice, hygiene items and basic household needs such as toilet paper and cleaning supplies.

Donations may be dropped off at the NWCSA office located at 1118 Tower Ave., or Solid Rock Safe Haven at 1004 N. Sixth St.

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