WISCONSIN (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- Wisconsin food pantries and food banks are facing a range of problems due to COVID-19.  Not enough volunteers, not enough donations, and longer wait times to get food.

“What we’re seeing is it’s taking longer and longer for the food we order now to come in and once we get it, its not always everything that we ordered,” says Patti Habeck, CEO of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.

Feeding America serves 65% of the state.  The coronavirus pandemic has left people temporarily out of work and needing food assistance. 

Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development reports between March 15 and April 6, the total amount of unemployment benefits distributed reached $68,759,104.  That's nearly double from this same timeframe last year. 

It’s a position many have never been in before.

“This is why the hunger relief system exists, this is why there are other supports, both from food share and government supports,” Habeck says.  

Food banks such as Feeding America and Second Harvest distribute goods to pantries across the state, some of which have had close.  This, due to a lack of volunteers, not enough supplies, or being operated out of a building forced to shutdown due to COVID 19 regulations, such as a church, or a school.  Urban and rural areas are both experiencing this.

“I don’t think we’re going to see a mass closing of pantries, unless this continues much farther than anyone is anticipating right now,” Habeck says.

Michelle Orge is President and CEO of Second Harvest Foodbank.  It serves 16 counties in Southwestern Wisconsin and distribution is rapidly increasing.

“We used to be distributing 40,000 pounds a day average to our 16 counties and now our average is at least 80,000 a day, sometimes 100,000 pounds a day and we don’t see that going down, we see that going up,” Orge says.  “We’re purchasing more food because donations are down.”

Budget is also becoming an issue because the need is outpacing donations coming in.

“The money we were raising was to last two months and now, that money will last one month,” Orge says.

Both women reiterate the best way to assist pantries currently is to give monetary donations.  Due to new state mandates regarding COVID 19, household food drives are no longer allowed.  This due to possible spread of the virus.  Volunteering is another option, as most volunteers are elderly and have had to temporarily quit.

There are resources available for people who find themselves needing food assistance as well. 

“The best number to go to is 211, United Way’s 211,” says Habeck. Learn more about 211 here. 

Both women advise checking in with your local pantries as well, to see if you can be provided a food delivery.  Food share is another option.  Click here for more information.

The mobile pantry schedule for Second Harvest can be found here.