Door County, Wis. (December 15, 2020) – The food pantries of Door County, working in partnership with United Way and the Community Foundation, have created the Door County Food Pantry Coalition. It’s our community’s coordinated, sustainable response to providing food and other supplies to people who are struggling during the global pandemic and economic recession.
There is no qualification process to access the pantries during this health crisis. Yet please remember that the Door County Food Pantry Coalition is NOT paid for by the government. Our pantries are able to help you because of the generous donations of your friends and neighbors. If you’re having a hard time making ends meet, the members of the Food Pantry Coalition want to extend a helping hand.
All the member pantries have committed to several safety precautions to avoid the spread of the coronavirus. Everyone offers “contactless” pick-up. They also ask that you practice social distancing and wear a mask when you are at a pantry. Further, all pantries have agreed to quarantine donated food items for at least 72 hours before distributing them to the public.
While everyone is working together through the Coalition, each food pantry operates in a different way. Some pantries are only able to provide non-perishable items, while others can offer refrigerated and frozen foods. A few pantries also make toiletries and other household supplies available. In some cases, the pantries allow you to come into their facility to pick out what you need. Others take your “order” for what you need then bring it outside to you.
Please look through the list of the pantries below to understand what each one offers and how they operate. Then decide which one is best suited to help you during your time of need.
1. Washington Island Community Health Program Food Pantry
1763 Town Line Rd, Washington Island
http://mywichp.org/Programs.html
(920) 535-3035 or (920) 750-9265
Food distribution takes place on the 4th Monday of each month from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm in the Trinity Lutheran Church basement. Those interested should call for information and will select from a list of available pantry items. Selections will be boxed and brought to client’s vehicle on distribution day.
Typical available food items include breakfast cereals, oatmeal, pancake mix, peanut butter, jelly, boxed milk, canned soups, canned tuna, canned vegetables, canned fruits, canned tomato products, canned beans, dried beans, rice, pasta, dried fruits and nuts, cheese, and frozen fruits, vegetables, fish, pork products and beef products. Other items may include toiletries, paper products and dog/cat food.
2. Shepherd of the Bay
11836 Hwy 42, Ellison Bay
www.shepherdofthebay.org
(920) 854-2988
The Shepherd of the Bay Pantry is available to anyone, on an as needed basis. Items include non-perishable foods and personal care items.
The pantry is open daily, 7:00 am-9:00 pm.
3. Koinonia Kupboard at First Baptist Church
2622 S Bayshore Drive, Sister Bay
www.firstbaptistsisterbay.com
(920) 854-2544
Clients should call to make a request with the number of people in the family. Groceries will be selected by a volunteer and placed outside of the front door when the client arrives in the parking lot. Koinonia Kupboard is open Tuesdays 9:00 am – 3:00 pm and Thursdays 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.
Available items include non-perishable foods and toiletries with no restrictions.
4. Door of Life Food Pantry
2731 Hwy 42, Sister Bay
http://www.dooroflife.org/
(920) 421-1253
Door of Life Food Pantry is a 24/7 help yourself food pantry that operates on the honor system.
Door of Life has a small freezer and often has bread and other perishables in there. They also offer non perishable items and try to keep personal care items on their shelves as well.
5. Stella Maris CARE 24/7 Food Pantry
4019 State Highway 42, Fish Creek
www.stellamarisparish.com
(920) 868-3241
The Stella Maris CARE 24/7 Pantry operates 24 hours each day on the honor system. Clients can enter the church entryway and help yourself to items you are in need of.
Product includes non-perishables, some hygiene items, and often a supply of breads.
6. Feed and Clothe My People of Door County
204 North 14th Avenue, Sturgeon Bay
feedmypeopledoorcounty.com
(920) 743-9053
Clients should call ahead and share the size of the family, the ages of any children, and if you have special needs – dietary issues, toiletries, etc. Feed My People will make an appointment for you to come pick up your food – about two weeks supply. The food will be waiting for you outside on a cart at the appointed time. The food pantry at Feed and Clothe My People of Door County is open Mondays and Thursdays, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
In addition to canned foods and other non-perishable food such as cereal, pasta, and boxed foods, Feed My People has eggs, cheese, and margarine and other dairy items, and frozen meat. They also have pet food available.
7. Lakeshore CAP Food Pantry
131 S 3rd Avenue, Sturgeon Bay
www.lakeshorecap.org
(920) 743-0192
Due to COVID19 Lakeshore CAP Food Pantry does not currently have a client choice model pantry. The client comes to the pantry door and shows their picture ID, Lakeshore CAP Food Pantry pulls the client’s pantry card and puts together a pantry based on family size. A volunteer takes the cart(s) to the end of the handicap ramp. The client picks up the cart(s) and loads their car, client returns cart to the end of the ramp. No appointment necessary. We hope to open up to the client choice model by January 2021. Lakeshore CAP is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Everyone receives produce/fruit, frozen meats and personal care items. A family of four receives approximately 150 pounds of food.
8. Holy Name of Mary Food Pantry
7491 County Road H, Sturgeon Bay
www.holynameofmary.church
(920)493-5055 or (920) 493-6867
Holy Name of Mary Food Pantry will reopen in June. Clients will call in for an appointment and leave a message sharing the number of people in the household. A volunteer will return the call and share an appointment time. At the appointment time, clients will drive-up for pick-up in the church parking lot. The food pantry hours will be the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month, 8:00 am – 10:00 am.
Available items include fresh produce, perishable and non-perishable foods, and paper products.
Make a Donation
If you’d like to make a donation, please first consider making a monetary contribution. Often the pantries can purchase food at a cost far below what you’d pay for the same item at the grocery store. Monetary gifts also allow the pantries to buy refrigerated and frozen food items that are not easily donated.
Please make a donation online today, or mail your gift to:
Door County Food Pantry Coalition
Door County Community Foundation
222 N. 3rd Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
All monetary contributions will be shared by the food pantries based on where the need is greatest in Door County at any given time. If you’d like to donate food items, please contact the food pantry closest to you.
Any money not used by the Coalition will be transferred to the Door County Emergency Response Fund to provide other relief and assistance to Door County residents struggling during this crisis.
If you’d like to help out as a volunteer, please email Dakota Londo at the United Way.
We will get through this if we hold together as a community!