RHINELANDER - Plenty of food pantries across the Northwoods help ensure hundreds of families don't go hungry. But there's another type of pantry in the area that provides supplies you might not think to give.
The Personal Essentials Pantry (PEP) held at Rhinelander's First United Methodist Church helps roughly 40 to 50 families each time it's open. People come from across the state and even Michigan.
"There's only a couple personal pantries in our state," said PEP Board Member Linda Zimmerman. "I don't think people realize how expensive that is and what people can really afford."
A personal pantry helps supply people in need with everything from toilet paper to household cleaning products and other similar hygiene necessities.
"If you don't have anything, if your first choice is food, it comes down to supplying things to keep them in their homes healthy and clean," said PEP Board Member Dixie Mathews. "And people really appreciate that."
Mathews knows firsthand what it's like for the families she now helps.
"My husband and I went through school and we had a tiny baby and we didn't have anything. I remember having 50 cents on a Monday morning and we decided whether we would buy milk or bread," said Mathews. "That's kind of the situation these people are in."
The PEP program is sponsored by the United Way, but Zimmerman says that only covers some of their cost.
"We are looking, always looking for more donations," said Zimmerman.
Those donations can make all the difference for the people who rely on PEP.
"You can drop off a monetary donation, you can drop off product," said Zimmerman. "We don't care what it is as long as it helps to keep a person clean."
Matthews and Zimmerman say it's hard work to keep the pantry going, but the positive impact it has makes it all worthwhile.
"I feel blessed and I feel most of the people that work here, we just feel blessed that we can do this," said Mathews.
PEP runs the second Monday of each month from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and the last Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
To be eligible for the program the person must be able to present a valid SNAP card, food pantry ID card, WIC card, Badger Care, or a professional referral. Visits to PEP are limited to one visit per household per month, and up to six visits each year.
Donations can be dropped off at the First United Methodist Church in Rhinelander.
