September 2021

PB&J Fall Newsletter

Peace, Blessings & Joy

Photo Credit: Derek Leigh Johnson

Food: The NEED and the Nuance

It’s a puzzle. Some emergency food providers are seeing less demand, while lines are growing at other pantries. What is happening?

The need for food has become less than in 2020, yet greater than before the pandemic.

The need for food has become hyper-local. People living in poverty have long had problems getting to food. Now, more than ever.

The “new” need for food may not be known until 2022, as various benefits such as unemployment insurance and food stamps come and go.

What is the responsible way for FSA to respond?

We are collaborating with three new partners to reach additional pockets of poverty.

We have discontinued a program site with less need.

We still emphasize nutrition. A significant amount of fresh produce goes to every family.

The NEED and the nuance. COVID has whiplashed the need for food over the past year and a half. FSA programs have whiplashed, effectively we believe, in response! Yet all individuals…senior, adult and child…present a nuanced story of how an empty pantry affects them personally. We cannot – we will not – lose sight of each individual’s need for dignity, respect and community amidst the pandemic.

May God give us all strength to live in the nuanced moments, recognizing people as individuals with unique stories and needs.

Peace, Blessings & Joy,

Rev. Nancy Yarnell

President & CEO

2021 Exemplary Award: Collaboration

Each year FSA gives an award for an exemplary achievement. This year’s award is for exemplary collaboration. Three organizations in Milwaukee collaborated on a study that showed a statistically significant difference in food security between traditional food pantries and FSA’s Food Security Group model:

UW-Milwaukee College of Nursing, Dr. Anne Dressel
UWM Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, Dr. Young Ik Cho and
St. Hyacinth food programs, Al Washko, retired hospital administrator

The study also showed that over 95% of St. Hyacinth’s Food Security Group members felt that they could rely on other members for support over the past 12 months, and that they had greater financial well being.

Dr. Anne Dressel, Assistant Professor and Director of Global Health Equity, shared that “We started this project in June 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the need for improved systems to ensure food security for many families. UWM’s collaboration with St. Hyacinth to implement a Food Security Group model has improved food security for families and built a community around volunteers and participants.”⠀

Food Security Groups work!

Something Besides SpongeBob

With a home full of six children and three grandchildren Ms. Sabrina makes full use of the groceries from the Walton Reserve Food Security Group. They cook more, don’t have to buy much meat and don’t go out to eat. She can afford some activities for the children and is saving for a car!

Ms. Sabrina has kept - and treasures - the relationships with neighbors she met at the Food Security Group, even though they cannot be together in a meeting at present. “There’s a difference between adult company and kid company. Something besides SpongeBob,” she laughs. “It’s a blessing. A total blessing. If I can’t use it all, I share. You are welcome, take, enjoy. Pass it forward.”

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