About Us

Established in 1978 in the basement of a volunteer's home, the Food Pantry of Waukesha County currently serves approximately 5,752 people each month from all parts of the county. Approximately half of those served are children. Our most recent challenge is to generate increased resources to meet the growing and ongoing need within our community. It is difficult for many people in the Waukesha community, one of the wealthiest in the state, to understand the necessity for the Food Pantry's services. The numbers speak for themselves.

Clients visit the Food Pantry when they have an urgent situation, and we work together to find a solution. In addition to distributing food, the Food Pantry helps individuals and families determine their needs and become more self-sufficient. The Food Pantry facilitates clients’ links with local agencies for budgeting assistance, food preparation, medical issues and employment assistance. The Food Pantry taps into existing community resources that supplement limited budgets by providing school supplies and medicines (both over-the-counter and prescription).

Click on this link for a detailed history of The Food Pantry contributed by Ellen Langill.

The Food Pantry serves Waukesha County residents who are unemployed, working poor, and/or underemployed; individuals with disabilities; those with health issues and related costs; the elderly; and children.

Food is distributed based on nutritional guidelines, family size, special dietary needs and the availability of provisions. Types of food distributed include a variety of nonperishable items; perishable items, including frozen meat and fresh milk; and formula and baby food. Food sources include donated; purchased; and reclaimed food from manufacturers, purveyors, growers and caterers.

The Food Pantry offers clients more than food. Our clients routinely request personal hygiene items, including shampoo, soap, toothpaste, diapers and more, so we also welcome these donations.

We are open for grocery distribution:
Monday-Friday: 1-3 pm
Additional evening hours provided on Thursday: 6-8 pm
Saturday: 9:30-11:30 am

Food may be picked up by one member of the household once every two weeks. Surplus US Government food may be picked up once a month.

During your first visit, you will be asked to provide proof that you are a Waukesha County resident by providing:

• A current driver's license

• A Social Security card*

• A bill, bank statement or other similar piece of mail

If your driver's license does not list your current address, bring the license and two pieces of mail.

*If you do not have Social Security cards for each member of the family, provide alternative IDs, such as an insurance card, Forward Care or other documentation. Please call and ask if you need further information about alternate ID.

You will be asked for information on sources of income, such as current monthly wages, unemployment compensation, etc.

Day-to-day pantry operations are supported entirely by generous and dedicated volunteers. Volunteers deliver food to homebound clients. The Food Pantry is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and works closely with the Hunger Task Force in Milwaukee and the Waukesha County Nutrition Coalition. A small staff provides oversight to all aspects of fund and food-raising efforts, fiduciary responsibilities, donor database management, volunteer recruitment and coordination, and administration of government food programs, as well as food purchasing, inventory and safety regulations.

NEWSLETTERS

Board of Directors and Staff Information

Hunger hurts. It denies dignity, lessens human energy and impairs the potential of people to succeed.

The Food Pantry of Waukesha County will advocate to increase awareness of hunger in the community and promote collaborative action to provide food to those in need.

To eliminate hunger in Waukesha County.

The Food Pantry of Waukesha County (FPWC) is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The FPWC is not a government agency, but a freestanding, nonprofit organization that distributes food - donated and purchased food as well as surplus U.S. government food.

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