The Neighbors’ Place Uses its $40,000 grant from Hunger Task Force to Ensure Every Market Guest Receives Fresh Produce

The Neighbors’ Place has worked diligently to ensure everyone in Wausau can access fresh and healthy food when they need it regardless of their ability to pay. In recognition of its exceptional community work, Hunger Task Force provided a $40,000 grant through its Connecting Farms to Families program to support the organization’s purchase of fresh and culturally diverse produce from Wisconsin farmers and growers.

“With the grant funding, we’ve ensured that our guests leave our food pantry with a minimum of six fresh produce items every time they visit – and they can get food support from us up to twice per month,” shares Donna Ambrose, executive director of The Neighbors’ Place. “It’s a huge win for us and many of the fresh items individuals and families enjoy are vegetables and organic eggs. When our guests see a large array of fresh food items it makes them feel less stigmatized.”

Without funding from Hunger Task Force, the Neighbors’ Place would not be able to provide this bounty of vegetables, eggs, milk and butter for the nearly 2,800 households it serves in the Wausau community every month.

“Another benefit of the grant funding is the ability to expose guests to new healthy foods they otherwise wouldn’t purchase at a grocery store due to cost limitations,” adds Donna. “The exposure to new things like organic eggs is a really big win because they are such a healthy source of protein.”

The Market at the Neighbors’ Place is open on Monday and Wednesday from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and again on Thursday from 5 – 7 p.m. The team embraces the SWAP model – which stands for supporting wellness at pantries – and works diligently to stock the shelves with healthy and culturally specific food items to help improve health outcomes for the guests they serve.

Hunger Task Force is Wisconsin’s anti-hunger leader and Free & Local food bank. The organization’s core values are Dignity, Justice, Equity, Compassion and Stewardship. Hunger Task Force feeds people today by providing healthy and culturally appropriate food to hungry children, families and seniors in the community absolutely free of charge. Hunger Task Force also works to end future hunger by advocating for strong public policies and nutrition programs at the local, state and federal level.