Riverwest Food Pantry: Community of Generosity During Pandemic

Bright Saturday mornings used to bring a vibrant community to the Riverwest Food Pantry, and all involved hope that begins again soon.

But on May 9, the new normal went into operation in the St. Casimir Church parking lot, as volunteers launched their seventh week in a new drive-up/walk-up style operation.  

At 7:00 a.m., about a dozen volunteers begin organizing and pre-bagging items in preparation for the day. From 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. families drive up to the garage and a volunteer or staff member do intake through the car window. Those who arrive to the destination by foot, form a line on the side of the building- standing on chalk marks each six feet away from each other. Over the course of two hours, the pantry services anywhere between 40 to 100 families.

In the basement of 924 E. Clark St., volunteers sift through food to put together bags that include all the essentials. The latest science suggests the novel coronavirus lives on surfaces; therefore only pre-packaged items will be distributed to prevent the spread of infection. The volunteers aim to make each bag as identical as possible, but given the time constraints with COVID-19, some items are chosen a bit at random. Still, each person is given a meat bag, a produce bag and a bread bag- that includes a dessert. Everyone receives a specialty item as well. This week’s specialty item is soap. Last week it was toilet paper.

“We’re trying to assess needs,” says Amanda Fahrendorf, Riverwest Food Pantry’s mission advancement associate.

Once the bags are complete, a volunteer carries them out to the garage where they are ready to be handed out. The number of bags an individual receives is based on how many family members are in their household. 

Delivering food to families in a safe and effective way during the current health crisis is a top priority for the Riverwest Food Pantry, however; their mission is far beyond just food. That makes this effort much different than its pre-COVID model.

Before the pandemic, a Saturday morning visit to The Riverwest Food Pantry was a social gathering. It was an interactive shopping experience with a built-in social aspect. The food pantry held cooking demonstrations, offered a full-out breakfast bar, and set up tables and chairs for community members to gather. This is also the setting where mentors would typically meet face-to-face with community members to assist them with challenges such as paying rent and gaining financial stability.

The Riverwest Food Pantry works to maintain these relationships by offering advising sessions over the phone.  Unfortunately, this alternative option is not convenient for many.

“Phone is different than face to face,” Fahrendorf said. “A lot of people we serve on a weekly basis don’t have the same cell phone number or same address anymore. The rest of their lives are so unstable. Before, a sure way to stay in contact with them was face-to-face on Saturdays. ”

As a result, there has been a significant loss of contact between the mentors and mentees.

“I think the biggest crisis in Milwaukee is isolation. The reality is that no one can do it on their own,” Fahrendorf said.

For this reason, the pantry has figured out creative ways to stay connected, provide guidance and help others feel less alone.

The Saturday cooking demonstrations that once were, are now in the form of video tutorials titled ‘Quarantine Cookoff” on the pantry’s Facebook Page. Mission Intern, Claire Gorman, gets in front of the camera to offer tips on preparing the food in that week’s bundle. In her most recent video, Gorman taught viewers how to make chickpea hummus. The Riverwest Food Pantry’s Instagram page is filled with positive messages and familiar faces. Their e-mail newsletters are also a good way to stay in the loop.  

Technology and social media have proven to be a useful tools that allow people to connect with each other during a time where physical contact isn’t an option. Still, it doesn’t beat the meaningful in-person interactions; The Riverwest Food Pantry community looks forward to the day when they can all be together again.

“We’re so close with the shoppers. We want to hug them-but we can’t,” Fahrendorf said.

“Lately it feels like masks have replaced our smiles and isolation has replaced our togetherness,” Riverwest Food Pantry Executive Director Victor Noth said in a recent Facebook video. But I want everybody out there to know… that we are open. So, if you’re at home, please come on out. If you have any needs, we’re here.”

Anyone who needs a little extra help during this time can visit the St. Casimir site on Tuesdays from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

For more information and updates on hours of operation, visit the Riverwest Food Pantry website.