MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A food bank has been serving many older adults in need with mobile food pantries in northern Wisconsin.
Older people make up close to 10 percent of the more than 44,000 people Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank serves annually in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota, Wisconsin Public Radio (https://bit.ly/2knFDih) reported.
The food bank has been traveling to Wisconsin cities such as Bayfield, Hurley and Solon Springs to deliver food.
More than a quarter of the 370 households using the mobile food pantries in northern Wisconsin include people more than 65 years old.
Bonnie MacLellan, 66, has benefited from the program and says whatever money she can save on food helps her pay for health care.
“Let’s say I go to the dentist,” she said. “I don’t have any insurance. That way I can help pay for that as long as I don’t have to pay so much for food.”
Doreen Khalar said her mother-in-law usually waits in line to pick up food for their family.
“I think for her it helps when you’re on a fixed income and stuff, and I don’t make a whole lot of money,” she said. “This helps feed the family.”
Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank program director Dan Wilson said the food they provide through the mobile food pantries isn’t enough for recipients to make it through the entire month.
“This is just a small portion of it, but with this and food stamps and any other assistance they can get it kind of helps make a better picture for everybody,” Wilson said.
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Information from: Wisconsin Public Radio, https://www.wpr.org
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