MONROE — The Personal Essentials Pantry of Green County held its ribbon cutting ceremony June 3 at its location at St. Vincent de Paul, 501 1st Avenue in Monroe. The pantry has been in operation since January, but with more products and school out, the various partners in the project wanted to get the word out more than before.
“We believe that a pantry of this type is a great asset to Green County to help strengthen and support a healthier community,” said Christi McKibben, the Income and Assistance Coordinator of St. Vincent de Paul in Monroe. McKibben added that she was fortunate to take over the reins from predecessor Melody Haug. “We have served approximately 40 households so far this year, most with returning visits.”
The Green County pantry is a member of Pepartnership, Inc., which has five personal essentials pantries in Madison, one in Watertown and another in Stoughton. The partnership is supported by members of the community and grants from Catholic Charities, Alliant Energy Foundation, Colony Brands, Knights of Columbus, Monroe Woman’s Club, Kroger Pick N Save, Village Diaper Bank and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Inc., among other private donors.
The pantry is open from 8 to 10 a.m. and again from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Users must live in Green County and have a photo ID, as well as list all members of the household, including full legal name and date of birth. Masks may be required.
Personal essential items include shampoos, laundry and dish detergents, deodorant, all-purpose house cleaners, toothpaste and toothbrushes, feminine products, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, cleaning rolls, face coverings.
“An essentials pantry operates in the same way a community food bank does, except they distribute items considered necessary for healthy living, but not covered by government food share programs,” Pepartnership, Inc. states in its pamphlet that is distributed at the store.
Other items include diapers for babies and toddlers.
“The diapers are from Madison and are fully donated, which saves on our budget a bit,” said Jeanne Ruf, one of the volunteers. “We’re trying to reach those with young families. We know there is a need.”
Father Tafadzwa Kushamba of St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Parish blessed the ribbon cutting and pantry floor with a prayer and holy water. Visitors got a tour of the facility and ate donated cupcakes.