The Rhinelander Area Food Pantry prides itself on being a choice model.
It’s set up more like a store and people can go through and pick the items they need.
“It’s really important to us that our customers have dignity. Food insecurity is that something a lot of people can experience and will experience throughout their lifetime. We want to make sure there’s choice in that,”’ said Operations Assistant Courtney Smith.
But the COVID-19 pandemic took away that choice.
When cases started rising last year, the food pantry closed its doors to the public and switched to a box distribution system.
People would get food boxes based on family size but wouldn’t have much of a say on what went in it.
“We were giving out food to households that they didn’t need or want,” said Smith. “We were getting items returned back to us and we saw some customers not coming as often. We felt it was really important to find another way.”
The pantry is now offering an online ordering system.
Registered customers can fill out online order form and select food items off the list.
Smith said they’re basing it off the successful online order system at the Antigo Community Food Pantry.
“We’ve had incredible feedback that they’re excited to be able to choose those items and use the pantry in a way that is meaningful for them, just to supplement their households,” said Smith.
Orders have to be place 48 hours before distribution days.
You do have to register with the food pantry, which you can also now do online.
If you don’t have access to internet you can call to register and order. That number is 715-369-7237.
The pantry will also continue to have its standard distribution box option for people.
While Smith wants to welcome people back inside, she believes this is the next best option to serve community members.
“Our decision came in really wanting to reopen open and have customers come back into the pantry but understanding that we really don’t know when that is going to happen and given the current situation with COVID-19 and seeing the increases, we just really need to take action,” said Smith.
RAFP holds distribution days on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday each week.
