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Survey, local providers say 30% of Manitowoc County households face food insecurity; agencies report rising demand
Summary
United Way and local food pantries told the county board that a recent survey of pantry users and agency data show growing need: 30% of households report food insecurity, nearly 8,000 households fit the ALICE profile, and several providers have cut or lost food funding even as client counts rise.
Ben Peters, director of impact strategies for the United Way of Manitowoc County, told the Manitowoc County Board that a recent countywide food-security survey and local agency data point to growing need across the county. “30% of households in Manitowoc County experience food insecurity,” Peters said, referring to a handout provided to supervisors.
The survey gathered responses from nearly 200 participants at food pantries and community meal sites, Peters said. He added that nearly 8,000 households in the county fall into the ALICE category — asset limited, income constrained, employed — meaning they earn too much to qualify for some public benefits but too little to consistently afford food and other basic needs.
Lynette Seminar, student services program support and families-in-transition liaison for the Manitowoc Public School District, told the board the district is seeing food insecurity among students: “We have between 30 to 40% of our total students that qualify for free reduced lunch across the district,” Seminar said. She said the district currently provides weekend food bags and recently increased the number from 560 to 580 bags going home each weekend to support students.
Local nonprofits said the increased need has collided with funding cuts. A representative speaking on behalf of Grow It Forward said the organization experienced a $146,000 reduction in food resources after federal cuts to a local food procurement assistance program and Commodity Credit Corporation programs — a roughly 21% drop — at the same time pantry visits have risen about 30%.
Samantha Itzmaio, who identified herself as an officer overseeing day-to-day operations at the Salvation Army in Manitowoc, described expanded outreach and rising client counts. She said the Salvation Army’s mobile pantry serves 13 locations across the county and that in February 2024 the organization served a little over 8,000 individuals. “We’re serving more time clients and also an uptick in clients who haven't needed assistance since 2019,” Itzmaio said, describing an increase in working families and seniors on fixed incomes seeking help.
Supervisor Hansen, who said he serves on the Peter’s Pantry board, told the board the pantry has “tripled the amount of food that we are now needing to purchase and give to people in the county.” Several speakers and staff urged wider community involvement and volunteer support; Laura Eflbeck of the UW–Madison Division of Extension’s FoodWIse program invited supervisors to volunteer at pantries and to help spread information about local food resources.
Why it matters: County officials heard consistent accounts that demand for food assistance is increasing while some funding sources and private donations have declined. Speakers asked county leaders to help coordinate volunteers, publicize resources and consider policy support to strengthen the local food-security system.
Discussion vs. action: This item was presented during reports/public comment and generated discussion and requests for board support and outreach; no formal county policy or funding decision was made during the meeting.
Ending note: Providers asked supervisors to publicize volunteer opportunities and to consider cross-sector responses to sustain pantries, school food programs and mobile distribution as demand grows.
