Governor Tony Evers in Rhinelander WI. Image courtesy: WAOW TV
RHINELANDER, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – Food Share benefits are being distributed nationwide again now that the government shutdown has ended.
Governor Tony Evers visited Rhinelander to express gratitude to those who assisted during the difficult times when access to food was uncertain.
Courtney Smith, executive director of the Rhinelander Food Pantry, described the situation before and after the shutdown. “You know really, prior to the government shutdown, and that pause in the benefit payment in November. It was really kind of business as usual for us.”
Smith then highlighted the surge in need during the shutdown.
“But then in the last week of October and into November.. I think our new households quadrupled in number of new registrations. We are seeing also folks who haven’t used the pantry in several years returning and coming back to shop at the pantry.”
Evers toured the Rhinelander Food Pantry to see their preparations and response to increased demand.
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