APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – One person out of every seven in the Wisconsin workforce has lost a job.
The state’s unemployment system has struggled to get benefits to everyone who needs them.
As money gets tight, demand at food pantries grows, and the Salvation Army in Appleton is trying to help.
Four-hundred may not seem like a big number, but that’s how many more people the Fox Cities Salvation Army says are coming through its food pantry program each month.
“We do expect to see that increase and continued increase throughout the summer, because not all jobs are opening,” said Kristal Knudtson, director of development and communications at the Fox Cities Salvation Army.
Knudtson tells FOX 11 things slowed down when COVID-19 first hit.
“Because people were scared to leave, which makes sense.”
Major David Minks, commanding officer at the Fox Cities Salvation Army, tells FOX 11 others were hoping their savings would be enough to get by.
“A lot of people chose to stay home, lived off the supplies that they had in their house, and the financial supplies, as well.”
Knudtson says it changed quickly as the pandemic wore on.
“People have since lost their jobs, been on unemployment, have had their hours reduced.”
Minks says the need for people to feel safe and comfortable asking for help is growing, too.
“We now do all of our services that are touch-free, so people can drive-up, food is dropped off in the car and, it’s basically zero contact.”
Volunteers and staff now take sanitized carts and make their way throughout the pantry, adding items as they go, eventually ending up over to a lineup of carts that are ready to serve the community.
“Then the cart goes outside, client puts their groceries into their car, and they drive off, cart comes inside, hand sanitize it and start it all over again,” said Knudtson.
And, instead of once a month, families can now stock up every week.
“If anyone is in need, they’re welcome to the food,” Minks said. “This is what we’re here for is to make sure that nobody in our community needlessly suffers.”
Making for a seamless and, what the Salvation Army hopes, shameless experience.
“Don’t feel like you can’t come,” Knudtson said. “You can come one time, you can come four times, you can come for the next year, you can come indefinitely – we will help you with whatever physical needs you need.”
While a lot has changed at the Salvation Army, because of the pandemic, one thing is clear, the need has certainly not.
The Salvation Army also has a daily meal program. It is available to anyone who wants to use it for one hour, starting at 11:30 a.m.
