MONROE - An increase in the number of families being served means there's more of a need for donated items at the Green County Inter-Church Food Pantry.
Director Maynard Heins said the number of families who come to receive food has increased by about 50 over the past few months. He estimated that the food pantry serves about 200 families and predicts the number will increase to about 225 by the end of the year.
Heins said the increase in families is due to the economy.
Some of the people who come to the food pantry for the first time are hesitant, Heins said.
"They want to call ahead of time to see what they need to do," he said.
People who come to the food pantry need to bring a driver's license or another proof of residency and a box or basket to take home their food.
If the number of families that need help increases during the holiday season, so does the number of people needed to donate to the food pantry, Heins said. People in Monroe are generous and willing to help others, he said.
Ruth Brobst, who is in charge of the food pantry in Brodhead, also said the number of people who need assistance has increased. The food pantry helps about 30 families a month.
She said the pantry always is in need of more food and hopes people will donate more during the holiday season.
Among the items needed at local pantries are non-perishable food such as macaroni and cheese, pork and beans, crackers, peanut butter, pasta, soups, instant potatoes, cereal, oatmeal and personal care items.
Local food pantries include:
• Green County Inter-Church Food Pantry, 1015 15th Ave., Monroe; open from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday; 329-7511.
• Albany Food Pantry at the Albany Methodist Church, 105 S Mill St., Albany; open 8 to 10 a.m. Thursday; (608) 862-3206.
• Brodhead White Gift Food Pantry, located behind the Senior Center in Brodhead; open 10 to 11:30 a.m. the third Saturday of the month; (608) 897-4336.
• Argyle Food Pantry at Argyle Lutheran Church, 100 East St., Argyle; open from 4 to 5:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month; (608) 543-3451.
• Black Hawk Area Food Pantry at the Fire Station, 107 East Center St., South Wayne; open from 3 to 6 p.m. the third Thursday of the month; (608) 439-5317.
• Pecatonica Area Food Pantry at Blanchardville Lutheran Church, 305 Madison St., Blanchardville; open from 10 to 11 a.m. the first and third Wednesday of the month; (608) 523-4943 or (608) 523-4718.
• Belleville Food Pantry at Belleville Village Hall, 24 W. Main St., Belleville; open from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday and 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday; (608) 424-3341.
• Green Cares Food Pantry, W5198 County C, Monticello; open from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m. to noon Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday; (608) 938-4238.
• Grace Church Food Pantry, 416 2nd St., New Glarus; open by appointment; (608) 513-1000.
Director Maynard Heins said the number of families who come to receive food has increased by about 50 over the past few months. He estimated that the food pantry serves about 200 families and predicts the number will increase to about 225 by the end of the year.
Heins said the increase in families is due to the economy.
Some of the people who come to the food pantry for the first time are hesitant, Heins said.
"They want to call ahead of time to see what they need to do," he said.
People who come to the food pantry need to bring a driver's license or another proof of residency and a box or basket to take home their food.
If the number of families that need help increases during the holiday season, so does the number of people needed to donate to the food pantry, Heins said. People in Monroe are generous and willing to help others, he said.
Ruth Brobst, who is in charge of the food pantry in Brodhead, also said the number of people who need assistance has increased. The food pantry helps about 30 families a month.
She said the pantry always is in need of more food and hopes people will donate more during the holiday season.
Among the items needed at local pantries are non-perishable food such as macaroni and cheese, pork and beans, crackers, peanut butter, pasta, soups, instant potatoes, cereal, oatmeal and personal care items.
Local food pantries include:
• Green County Inter-Church Food Pantry, 1015 15th Ave., Monroe; open from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday; 329-7511.
• Albany Food Pantry at the Albany Methodist Church, 105 S Mill St., Albany; open 8 to 10 a.m. Thursday; (608) 862-3206.
• Brodhead White Gift Food Pantry, located behind the Senior Center in Brodhead; open 10 to 11:30 a.m. the third Saturday of the month; (608) 897-4336.
• Argyle Food Pantry at Argyle Lutheran Church, 100 East St., Argyle; open from 4 to 5:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month; (608) 543-3451.
• Black Hawk Area Food Pantry at the Fire Station, 107 East Center St., South Wayne; open from 3 to 6 p.m. the third Thursday of the month; (608) 439-5317.
• Pecatonica Area Food Pantry at Blanchardville Lutheran Church, 305 Madison St., Blanchardville; open from 10 to 11 a.m. the first and third Wednesday of the month; (608) 523-4943 or (608) 523-4718.
• Belleville Food Pantry at Belleville Village Hall, 24 W. Main St., Belleville; open from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday and 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday; (608) 424-3341.
• Green Cares Food Pantry, W5198 County C, Monticello; open from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m. to noon Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday; (608) 938-4238.
• Grace Church Food Pantry, 416 2nd St., New Glarus; open by appointment; (608) 513-1000.