Menomonee Falls Area Food Pantry Receives a $10,000 Donation

The Menomonee Falls Area Food Pantry on Tuesday received a $10,000 donation from .

The church’s donation pushes the total funds raised for the pantry’s new facility to $120,000. Organizers to cover construction costs, as well as increased utilities costs associated with the their .

The church’s $10,374.97 donation (to be exact) is a big step toward their goal, but $80,000 remain — and organizers are in dire need to reach their fund-raising goal.

“Our deadline to raise the $200,000 was yesterday,” Board Member Julie Loth figuratively stated.

Food Pantry President Robin Manke said their food supply budget is also very tight right now. She said the pantry is collecting canned food donations July 3 at the Independence Day Parade. Manke said they are only taking canned food donations, not cash donations.

A matching effort

A few months ago, the Missions Committee at Emmanuel challenged church members to raise funds for the pantry. Committee members said they would match every dollar raised by the congregation up to $5,000.

The amount was met and slightly exceeded by the end of May.

“Our members have always been very supportive of the food pantry,” said Cindy Van Cleave, a member at Emmanuel. “We are glad to make this significant donation to the new building, and hope other churches will be able to join us in contributions.”

Emmanuel is a church of about 850 members that meet at N84W16707 Menomonee Avenue.

Building going up quickly

Construction of a 2,400-square-foot distribution center an their new location, N85W15382 Menomonee River Pkwy., is quickly taking shape. Organizers are hoping to occupy the new building sometime in July.

The food pantry has grown significantly in its 30 years of existence serving families in Menomonee Falls, Germantown, Hubertus, Richfield, Lannon and Colgate. The pantry now serves a total of 1,403 people in 481 households.

The food pantry, located at Hiawatha School for another month, is open from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information about the food pantry, or to inquire about donating of volunteering, call (262) 251-6848.