Welcome Jules Lee - Feeding Wisconsin's new Statewide FoodShare Outreach Program Director

Posted by Stephanie Jung Dorfman in on Feb 2, 2023 Tagged:

Back in November 2022, Jules Lee joined the Feeding Wisconsin Statewide team as the FoodShare Outreach Program Director, a role focused on optimizing utilization of Wisconsin’s supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits that help people buy food during period of need and instability. As a child and young adult, Jules was a recipient of SNAP benefits and shares this lived experience to reduce food insecurity among all Wisconsinites.

Originally from Gary Indiana, Jules completed their bachelor and master’s degrees in public health at Indiana University. They also have experience as a volunteer and staff member at the Community Kitchen of Monroe County, Indiana University’s Crimson Cupboard Food Pantry, and AmeriCorps V.I.S.T.A. with Spencer-Owen Community Schools. In 2018, Jules accepted a fellowship with the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute to support health equity at the state level. Later in 2020, they became a Food Security Manager with Middleton Outreach Ministry, promoting hunger relief
and health equity among Dane County community members.

What excites Jules about this role is they feel life has come full circle: from walking with their Mother as a child to pick up their SNAP benefits, to listening to patrons at Middleton Outreach Ministry share their challenges with food insecurity. They feel fortunate to be on the Feeding Wisconsin team.

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FoodShare Eligibility, Benefit Allotment, and Program Updates in October 2021

Posted by Stephanie Jung Dorfman in on Oct 5, 2021 Tagged:

With the start of the new Federal Fiscal Year, there are a few important changes going into effect regarding FoodShare eligibility and benefit maintenance policy.

FoodShare Eligibility – Update to Monthly Income Limits

For Those Participating in FoodShare, the following changes will go into effect beginning October 1, 2021:

Cost of Living Adjustments

Every year cost of living adjustments are made to FoodShare member benefits. Visit the FoodShare Wisconsin: Monthly Income Limits webpage to see allotment changes that are starting on October 1, 2021. This year the formula for calculating benefit allotments changed due to the USDA’s modernization of the Thrifty Food Plan. As a result, the average SNAP benefit – excluding additional funds provided as part of pandemic relief – will increase by $36.24 per person, per month, or $1.19 per day, for Fiscal Year 2022 beginning on October 1, 2021.

FoodShare members are getting additional FoodShare benefits in October

If you are enrolled in FoodShare, you are getting additional FoodShare benefits in October to help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting in April 2021, all FoodShare members are getting at least $95 in additional benefits each month. Some households will get more to bring their benefit amount to the maximum monthly benefit amount for their household size. 

The benefits will be put on your QUEST card on October 17. You will be sent a letter the week of October 18 telling you that you got the additional FoodShare benefits and how much was put on your QUEST card.

In October 2021 Six-Month Report forms will start again

Starting in October 2021, FoodShare members will once again need to complete and submit Six-Month Report forms to let us know that the information we have on file for their household is correct. When it is time for you to complete your Six-Month Report form, you will get either a paper report form in the mail or an email alerting you that you have a new message in your ACCESS account.

Starting October 1, 2021, FoodShare applicants will need to do an interview

If you are applying for or renewing your FoodShare benefits, you will need to do an interview with your agency starting on October 1, 2021. During your interview, your agency will review your case information to make sure they have everything they need from you and that your information is correct.

Benefit Issuance Adjustments

WI DHS is also checking that everyone who should have gotten additional benefits got them. As a result, some members may get their August benefits on October 10 and their September benefits on November 14.

*For more updates from Wisconsin Department of Health Services, visit the COVID-19: Information for FoodShare and Other Food Benefits webpage.

*For more information about benefits and application assistance, visit Feeding Wisconsin’s FoodShare Outreach page, www.GetAQUESTCard.org.

 

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Wisconsin Bakers Association Food and Fund Drive

Posted by Stephanie Jung Dorfman in on Sep 1, 2021 Tagged:

In honor of National Bakery Day on Friday, September 17th, Wisconsin bakers are partnering with Feeding Wisconsin by hosting food drives at local family-owned bakeries in communities across the state! WBA invites all to "dough-nate" nonperishable food items at participating local bakeries or raising dough for Feeding Wisconsin by making an online donation.

Funds raised will be distributed to all six Feeding America affiliated food banks serving families in all 72 counties in Wisconsin! In 2020, the Feeding Wisconsin network distributed 79 million pounds of food to those in need, a 62% increase over 2019.

The current crisis is likely to reverse decreases in food insecurity that have occurred over the past decade. As of March 2021, Feeding America National estimates that in CY2021, 605,650 Wisconsinites or 10.4% will experience food insecurity. This includes 204,600 Wisconsin children or 16.2% of Wisconsin's children. We anticipate that demand will continue far beyond 2021 as the pandemic and resulting economic crisis continues to take a toll on our communities, especially those experiencing food insecurity.

Click here more information about donating. Together, we are leading the way Forward toward a healthy and hunger-free Wisconsin.

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Feeding Wisconsin Applauds State Effort to Support Hunger Relief and Wisconsin’s Agriculture Industry through COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Posted by Stephanie Jung Dorfman in on Sep 4, 2020 Tagged:

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MADISON, WI – Feeding Wisconsin, the state association of six Feeding America member food banks and 1,000 local food programs serving all 72 counties in the state, is grateful to receive two grant awards through the Food Security Initiative administered by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s (DATCP).

Feeding Wisconsin’s network was awarded $2.2 Million via the COVID-19 Food Security Network Support Grant and just over $10 Million via the COVID-19 Food Security and Wisconsin Products Grant.

Governor Tony Evers created the Food Security Initiative in May, directing Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funds to support families experiencing food insecurity as well as food producers and processors facing new challenges as a result of the pandemic.

In Wisconsin alone, it is estimated that over 800,000 people may face hunger this year, many for the first time—an increase of around 300,000 people due to the pandemic. This would increase the rate of food insecurity in Wisconsin from 8.9 percent of the population to 13.9 percent of the population and would mean that about 1 in 4 Wisconsin children are experiencing food insecurity.

Feeding Wisconsin’s network will use these funds to support the infrastructure, equipment, and supply needs of food banks and pantries to support food distribution across the state and purchase nearly 3 million pounds of WI food product to meet the growing, and likely sustained, need during COVID-19 response and recovery. A small amount of funding will also support a point-in-time pantry participant survey conducted in partnership with University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers that will provide a better understanding of food insecurity and unique barriers Wisconsin households are facing during COVID-19. 

During the grant application process, Feeding Wisconsin worked directly with Wisconsin producers, processors, aggregators, and commodity associations to source WI food products to purchase and distribute through its statewide network of food pantries and programs through the end of the year.

Feeding Wisconsin’s Executive Director, Stephanie Jung Dorfman, expressed,

“We thank Governor Tony Evers for creating the Food Security Initiative, which will address needs at all points in the emergency food system from farmers, to processors, to food pantry and food bank distribution efforts, to those utilizing food pantries and distribution points.

“Feeding Wisconsin and our network of food banks are grateful for the awarded funding. At a time when we are seeing an increased demand for our services and our food banks are purchasing more food than ever before, these funds are enabling us to source great Wisconsin products to distribute to our friends and neighbors during this challenging time.”

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About Feeding Wisconsin

Feeding Wisconsin is the state association of the six regional Feeding America food banks that provide food to 1,000 local food programs in all 72 counties of the state. Together, Feeding Wisconsin provides 50 million meals annually to over 550,000 people in every corner of our state. Its mission is to help food banks, partners, and the public fight hunger, improve health, and strengthen local communities. Through food banks and food pantries, Feeding Wisconsin works to ensure that everybody has access to the food and benefits they need to work, learn, play and live healthy lives. Together, Feeding Wisconsin is leading the way Forward together toward a healthy and hunger-free Wisconsin. For more information, please visit our website at www.FeedingWI.org.

To learn more about Feeding Wisconsin, visit www.FeedingWI.org. Stay connected with us by following @FeedingWI on Twitter and Facebook. This release is also available in PDF Format.

Media Contact: Stephanie Jung Dorfman, 608-960-4517, sdorfman@feedingwi.org

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Wisconsin REALTORS partner with Feeding Wisconsin to fight child hunger

Posted by Stephanie Jung Dorfman in on Nov 5, 2019 Tagged:

The Wisconsin REALTORS® Foundation has kicked off this year’s campaign to fight child hunger in Wisconsin with a $50,000 gift. This gift is part of a multi-year partnership to support programming to fight child hunger at our six food banks and 1,000-plus food pantries throughout the state. With our food banks' high efficiency, $7 can provide up to three meals a day for a week.

This year, as part of their “Don’t Be A Turkey Tour,” the Wisconsin REALTORS® Foundation organized a multi-site volunteer event the week of November 11th, where over 200 volunteers served at 6 food bank and food pantries sites. The Foundation also continues to engage members in additional fundraising and volunteering in their local communities. With over 16,000 REALTORS® in every corner of the state, the Foundation hopes to mobilize them to help food pantries bridge “the last mile” and deliver the food to needy families.

Thanks to the Wisconsin REALTORS® Foundation and Realtors across the state for making a difference for the 1 in 6 children that experience hunger in our state!

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Assists for Hunger

Posted by Stephanie Jung Dorfman in on Oct 1, 2019 Tagged:

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer and Feeding Wisconsin have teamed up for another season to raise awareness and tackle hunger across the state with the return of Coach Bud’s Assists for Hunger program. During the 2019-20 Bucks season, Budenholzer will once again donate $15 to Feeding Wisconsin for every assist the Bucks tally, with a minimum commitment of $25,000.

“It was a great first season of teaming up with Feeding Wisconsin to help raise awareness and eradicate hunger in our community,” said Budenholzer. “Playing unselfish basketball was a core component of our success last season. With the Assists for Hunger program, we were thrilled that our high assist total was able to have a significant meaning off the court. We look forward to raising even more money for such an important cause this season.”

In the first season of the program in 2018-19, Budenholzer donated $31,350 dollars to Feeding Wisconsin after the Bucks ranked fourth among Eastern Conference teams, and seventh overall in the NBA, in total assists for the season. It was Milwaukee’s highest assist total as a team in more than 30 seasons.

Feeding Wisconsin food banks are able to provide food for nearly three meals for every dollar donated, meaning one assist by the Bucks will equal approximately 45 meals. With a minimum contribution of $25,000, Feeding Wisconsin will be able to provide food for at least 75,000 meals through this program.

“We are excited to team once again with Coach Bud and the Bucks to defend against hunger,” said Stephanie Jung Dorfman, Executive Director of Feeding Wisconsin. “The meals raised through this partnership will help our food banks to increase access to the food and benefits Wisconsinites need to work, learn, play and live healthy lives.”

Thanks to Coach Bud and the Bucks for raising awareness and assisting to end hunger!

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College Food Insecurity Toolkit and Resources

Posted by Stephanie Jung Dorfman in on Dec 5, 2018 Tagged:

Emerging research suggests a need to address food insecurity among college students. A study by The Hope Center (formerly the WI Hope Lab), a leader on this issue, found that 67% of students surveyed reported either low or very low food security.

A recent survey conducted by the student association at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, showed that over 50% of their students are dealing with food insecurity. This led to the creation of the Food Center Pantry at UWM. It joins a growing number of food pantries on college campuses in Wisconsin, including at UW Madison and UW Eau Claire.

We have written about the rise of college food pantries a few years ago and, thanks to a SNAP Outreach and Capacity grant from the Walmart Foundation, we have begun working to increase awareness of campus hunger, spread knowledge about food resources, and assist college students being referred to our services with FoodShare applications.

We are also very excited to announce that we will be partnering with Soylent to offer 15 bright Wisconsin college students full scholarships to attend our 2019 Hunger and Health Summit to learn best practices from experts across the state on how to fight hunger on their campuses.

Join the movement to end hunger on college campuses! Learn more about being an ally in fighting hunger on your campus, by going to www.getaquestcard.org/collegehunger. Access our toolkit and recent webinar to learn more and take action on your own campus!

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