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FoodShare’s Role in the Anti-Hunger Support Network

Posted by John Stuligross in on Mar 1, 2016 Tagged:

FoodShare provides money in the form of a debit-like card to over 800,000 Wisconsinites every month. While it can be a significant benefit to many households, it is only one slice of the anti-hunger pie. We are often asked by FoodShare recipients why they are only receiving $16 dollars per month, as that amount of money will barely supply a week’s worth of groceries. FoodShare is not meant to fully support an individual or family for their food needs. Instead, FoodShare is intended to supplement other sources of income to help purchase groceries.

In addition to the FoodShare program, food pantries, government agencies like WIC and job training programs, as well as countless nonprofit organizations all play an important role in the anti-hunger movement. Hunger is a complex issue with social, political, and economic roots. The anti-hunger movement does not begin or end with any one program. Instead, it will continue to take support from these many players, as well as continued support from federal, state and local governments.

While nonprofits, government agencies, and politicians tackle the root causes of hunger, hundreds of thousands of our neighbors are in need of food each month. FoodShare is an important piece of anti-hunger efforts. It is the safety net that provides families the opportunity to purchase food with dignity and confidence at their local grocery store, just like the rest of society. FoodShare provides a consistent and dependable stream of funds to the recipient’s account each and every month, as long as the recipient remains eligible. Its use of a debit-like card gives recipients a sense of empowerment and helps to reduce the stigma that came with the previous adoption of Food Stamps. FoodShare allows individuals and families to make informed, conscious choices about what they are purchasing and eating each month. These benefits are unique to the FoodShare program and make it the cornerstone to the anti-hunger support network.