Organizations across Langlade County are partnering to help seniors stock their pantries.
More than 500 seniors in Langlade County have household incomes of less than $1,400.
As a result, they are eligible for a program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture called ‘Stockboxes.’
Stockboxes are full of nonperishable food items.
“Some of the products include juice, cereal, canned or dried milk, canned fruits and vegetables, canned meats, canned soup, peanut butter and a pasta or rice product,” lists Erin Wells, the community resources manager at the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin.
She’s working with nine organizations across Langlade County, like the Antigo Public Library and the North Lakes Community Clinic, to facilitate the distribution of these boxes.
“It just gives people a little extra every month to fill up their pantries,” she says.
That’s especially important at a time like this, when seniors have to contend both with increased health risks and rising inflation.
“The timeliness of this is I think ideal because there’s been a lot of discussion on increasing food costs and anticipating costs to continue to increase,” Wells says.
The first stockbox distribution will be held on February 22 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Antigo Public Library.
Registration is required. The ADRC, library and county clerk office have more information and can be contacted at the numbers below:
ADRC of Central Wisconsin: 888-486-9545
Antigo Public Library: 715-623-3724
Langlade County Clerk Office: 715-627-6200
Online registration is available here: https://forms.gle/yLR1GamMYL4V49q38
