MADISON — The generosity of the Madison Community Foundation (MCF) and other major donors means that staff and volunteers at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Madison are finding shelter from the worst of what Wisconsin winter doles out, even as they continue to serve drive-through clients outdoors.
Helpful support
In November, the Madison Community Foundation awarded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul a $12,500 grant to support winter outdoor food distribution in order to meet pandemic safety requirements.
To protect all involved in distributing much-needed food, the St. Vincent de Paul Pantry has been operating on a drive-through basis since March 16.
“Madison Community Foundation is proud to support the critical work of St. Vincent de Paul and other major food pantries during this pandemic, explained Tom Linfield, Madison Community Foundation vice president.“It is truly inspiring to see their ability to increase services, find safe and creative ways to serve clients and volunteers, and battle hunger during a time when support networks are more important than ever.”
The MCF grant was matched by an equal award from the Rennebohm Foundation.
The funds provided by both foundations allowed the Society to build shelter structures on either side of the pantry drive-thru area to help protect staff and volunteers from winter weather.
The Goodman Foundation has joined in the effort by committing an additional $12,500 to defray the expense of the semi-permanent structures.
Located at the Middlecamp Center for Vincentian Charity, 2033 Fish Hatchery Rd., the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry is one of the busiest pantries in Dane County.
More than 15 years ago, the pantry pioneered the customer-choice shopping model locally.
COVID-19 adaptations forced the pantry to move outside to provide safe, contactless food distribution to neighbors in need.
Pedestrians and bicyclists are also served in a socially distanced manner.
Outdoor pantry operation will continue until it is safe for clients, volunteers, and staff to return indoors together.
The Society’s Charitable Pharmacy, operating out of the same site, provides telehealth consultations and delivers medications on a curbside basis as well.
Preparing for winter
Currently, pantry clients pull into the driveway and open their vehicle’s trunk or back door.
Wearing masks, volunteers and staff load the vehicle with pre-packed boxes of free nonperishable food, supplemented with meat, produce, dairy, bakery, and other food.
The pantry also offers select personal-care items free of charge, including diapers, wipes, toiletries, and cleaning supplies.
The Madison Community Foundation and the Rennebohm Foundation quickly recognized the inherent difficulties in operating food pantries outdoors during a Wisconsin winter.
The funds they provided allowed awnings to be extended from the building and the area below to be enclosed, with enough space available for proper distancing between individuals.
A heater was added for needed warmth.
Across the driveway, a new shed equipped with a heater has offered shelter to pantry workers who gather required personal information from the driver of each vehicle.
The Society’s food pantry has met record levels of need during the pandemic; need is expected to remain high in coming months.
“Our caring friends at the Madison Community Foundation, Rennebohm Foundation, and Goodman Foundation have recognized the value offered to our community — especially to our most vulnerable neighbors –by our food pantry’s dedicated staff members and volunteers,” said Ernie Stetenfeld, CEO of the St. Vincent de Paul Society’s Madison district council.
“These major benefactors understand how crucial it is that we safeguard the health and capacity of those who make our pantry work. All involved are grateful.”