Stock the Shelves is USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin's biggest community fundraiser of the year, which aims to ensure families in area communities have food for the holidays. Jen Zettel
MARSHFIELD - Donations are needed the most this time of year at St. Vincent De Paul's food pantry.
The pantry usually sees an increase in donations near the holidays, said Stacy Clements, head of the pantry. But the time between school starting and the beginning of the holiday season is when there's usually a drop in contributions.
The pantry serves about 500 people per month. Clements said that number has gone slightly down since the South Wood County Emerging Pantry Shelf in Wisconsin Rapids began to serve a wider area.
Clements said most of their clients come from households of one or two people.
The pantry is part of Stock the Shelves, an annual campaign organized by the Marshfield News-Herald and other USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin newspapers.
Since 2010, Stock the Shelves has raised nearly $5 million for food pantries in northeast and central Wisconsin thanks to the generous donations of newspaper readers and community partners across central and eastern Wisconsin.
The goal for the 2019 campaign is to raise funds to provide 1 million meals to people in need. The campaign will take place in October, which is Hunger Awareness Month. With just one dollar, Feeding America can provide three meals, said Patti Habeck, president and CEO of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.
Clements said the Marshfield pantry frequently runs low on soup, canned meats, jello, pudding and baking supplies.
The pantry's online wish list for nonperishable food items also includes peanut butter, jelly, fruits, vegetables, frozen meats, boxed meals, tuna, Ziploc containers or plastic bags of all sizes, plastic wrap and tin foil. The list also includes clothing and personal care products.
The food pantry at St. Vincent De Paul is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. In the winter, the pantry is closed whenever the Marshfield School District is closed.
Contact USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin reporter Melissa Siegler at msiegler@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Marie2Melissa.
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Donate to Stock the Shelves
You can donate to USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin's Stock the Shelves program by going to feedingamericawi.org
You can also send checks payable to Feeding American Eastern Wisconsin, ATTN: Stock the Shelves, 2911 W. Evergreen Drive, Appleton, WI 54913. Indicate how your name should be listed, if you want to remain anonymous or if you would like it donated in memory of someone.
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