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Feeding Wisconsin Expands FoodShare Outreach

Posted by John Stuligross in on Mar 2, 2016 Tagged:

As the statewide association of Feeding America food banks, Feeding Wisconsin is committed to serving the needs of Wisconsinites to help end hunger in the state. Recognizing that over 70,000 of our friends and neighbors are eligible for FoodShare but are not claiming their benefits, our FoodShare Outreach program aims to provide high quality application assistance and advocacy.

Since October, Feeding Wisconsin has been advertising its FoodShare Helpline to food pantries and other partners. The helpline explains the FoodShare program, benefit levels, application requirements, and screens callers to see if they may or may not be eligible for FoodShare. If it appears that a caller may be eligible, we set up appointments with one of our specialists to complete a FoodShare application with the caller. We never turn anybody away or discourage people from applying, and our services are free of charge.

Replicating the best-practices established by Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, we have seen a rise in call volume from western, eastern, and northern Wisconsin from communities that were previously unaware of our services.

Feeding Wisconsin and its member food banks have increased efforts across the state to help inform, educate, and provide assistance to neighbors in need. FoodShare Outreach Specialists from Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, Feed My People Food Bank, and Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin now cover 24 counties in the state to provide confidential and high quality assistance with the FoodShare application process and navigating the ABAWD work requirement. Together, with our toll-free FoodShare Helpline, we have assisted over 2,500 Wisconsinites with questions, advocacy, and application assistance over the past 6 months.

Second Harvest Foodbank continues to lead the charge, providing in-person assistance in 16 counties and assisting nearly 300 people with FoodShare applications per month. Feed My People Food Bank has assisted in the completion of over 100 FoodShare applications since December 1, and has educated over 700 people about the program! The Feeding Wisconsin helpline has assisted over 57 applications over the phone where our in-person specialists are unavailable. The helpline has been receiving calls from all counties in the state!

In addition to our expansion of new in-person and phone assistance, we have begun an exciting Google SNAP project in many parts of the state. When people use google to search for "food stamps", "QUEST card", "food assistance" or a number of other key phrases, one of the search pages is a contact form. Once filled out, our helpline can call people across Wisconsin to help inform, educate, and assist folks with FoodShare applications.

We continue to look for innovative partnerships and tools to help connect eligible Wisconsinites with benefits to help them lead healthy, happy lives. Check out Feeding Wisconsin's FoodShare Outreach team members!