MADISON, Wis. — As inflation continues to impact Wisconsin, the increasing price of food is forcing a record number of Dane County residents to drive to the food pantry instead of the grocery store.
Gloria Pofahl-Pangman has been volunteering at the St. Vincent De Paul’s food bank for 17 years and said 2022 has been the busiest year she has seen.
“A lot of people have kind of a false idea of the food pantry; I have actually seen people I have known that have just been down on their luck,” said Pofahl-Pangman.
Pofahl-Pangman said people are often stereotyped for going to food pantries, but she sees people from all walks of life.
“Like I said, elderly, a lot of older couples — it is very sad,” said Pangman. ”You see a lot of [people who] are obviously living out of their car.”
Chris Kane, senior director of client services at St. Vincent De Paul’s, said he believes one of the main reasons for the increase was the ending of the pandemic-era child tax credit increase. The tax increase helped to offset the cost of raising a child and was worth up to $3,600 per qualifying child.
“We saw the food pantry usage plummet to actual all-time lows and now, since that went away, we are seeing usage at highs we have never seen before,” said Kane.
Pofahl-Pangman said St. Vincent De Paul’s food bank operates under the idea that no one should have to worry about where their next meal is going to come from. Pofahl-Pangman said she wants Wisconsin residents to know that if they are in need, she has their backs.
“I have seen people that work and have full time jobs. Somebody comes in with their McDonald's uniform on; they are not making enough money,” said Pofahl-Pangman. “A lot of our clients have jobs or work one or two jobs; you just can’t judge.”
St. Vincent De Paul’s food bank is always in need of volunteers; to find out how you can get involved, click here.