CASSVILLE — Catholic Charities-Madison announces the opening of Six Rivers Food Pantry on Wednesday, April 17, located at 222 W. Amelia St. in Cassville, serving both Cassville and the surrounding area.
Food will be available for those in need on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Guests will complete a brief application and self-determine their eligibility. All are welcome.
The pantry is needed in the community due to several businesses that have closed leading to unemployment and the lack of other pantries in the Cassville area. “We are thrilled to collaborate with the Cassville community on this project. Helping people in need in rural communities is a fit with our mission,” said Jackson Fonder, president and CEO of Catholic Charities.
The pantry is a program of Catholic Charities and will be operated by local community volunteers. Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program (SWCAP) and Second Harvest Food Bank are partners in the operation.
“Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program is thrilled to be involved in the opening of the new food pantry in Cassville,” said Ronda Christensen, special service coordinator with SWCAP. “We help families and individuals overcome barriers, to dream of a better future, and to share in the best our communities can offer. ‘People helping people’ is a motto we live by at SWCAP.”
“At Second Harvest, we know that we cannot end hunger alone. It’s through collaboration and partnership that Cassville residents struggling with hunger will be able to get some help. We are honored to work with Catholic Charities and members of the Cassville community to make a difference in the lives of those who will use the pantry,” said Dan Stein, president and CEO of Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin.
“Being an active member in the community, I have seen first-hand food insecurity. It truly breaks my heart to think that there are families, especially children, in our community that go to bed hungry each night,” said Chantel Hampton, a community member and volunteer.
“When the announcement was made that the clinic was going into the Tranchita Building, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to approach the Village Board to ask for use of the other side of the building. Bringing awareness of food insecurity to the board and other community members has been quite beneficial. We have had so many ask to volunteer their time because they want to help, and I am looking forward to the great impact that these volunteers will make on our community.
“I am so pleased to partner with Catholic Charities, Second Harvest, and Southwest CAP to make this food pantry a reality for the Village of Cassville and the surrounding communities.”
The pantry will hold a community open house on Monday, April 15, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Food items or monetary donations are welcome at the open house.