LCHD shares information on accessing food resources following SNAP benefit delay

LINCOLN COUNTY – Following the delay of FoodShare (SNAP) benefits, the Lincoln County Health Department (LCHD) is sharing information on accessing food resources.

In a release, LCHD said $421,484.00 in SNAP benefits help feed 3,013 Lincoln County residents every month.

LCHD said the public can utilize the Lincoln County Food Resource Guide (www.tinyurl.com/ttkr2fb8). The guide was created in partnership with the Healthy Lifestyles of Lincoln County Coalition to connect county residents to food resources available to them.

The public can also call 211, a free and confidential service that connects individuals with thousands of local programs and services. 

LCHD highlighted several local food pantries:

• Tomahawk Food Pantry (United Methodist Church), 1104 School Rd., Tomahawk. Open Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Community Food Pantry, 503 S. Center Ave., Merrill. Open Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.; and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Open Hearts Food Pantry (Trinity Church), 107 N. State St., Merrill. Open Wednesdays and Fridays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• His Hands Extended (New Testament Church), N2519 County Rd. K, Merrill. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment (715-536-8554.).

LCHD also provided the following ways the public can help:

• Donate food or money to the local food pantries.
• Volunteer your time at the local food pantries, community meals or other resources that provide food.
• Organize or support food drives at your school, business, community group or church.
• Donating excess foods from restaurants, gas stations or cafeterias, instead of throwing it away (also known as “gleaning”).
• Tell others about local food resources so everyone knows where to get help.

“The Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin (CFONCW) has started a new program called the Formula and Food Insecurities Fund,” LCHD stated. “This special fund helps local families get the food and baby formula they need, especially while some federal food programs are delayed or disrupted during the government shutdown. All donations stay local and will be distributed to local nonprofits that provide food or formula directly to families.”

Learn more about CFONCW at www.cfoncw.org/.  

“Working together, we can ensure people have access to food for all in Lincoln County,” LCHD said.