Extending a Helping Hand

Each week, many families in our community depend on the Lakeland Pantry for food, household items, clothing, books and more. Now, thanks to donations from the community and funds received from grants, the Pantry has been able to expand and continue this important work with greater capacity, efficiency and safety for clients and volunteers. 

“The expansion created an additional 1500 square feet of space,” said John Winkelman, President of the Lakeland Pantry Board of Directors. “The new area is a climate-controlled warehouse and food storage area. It’s going to make a huge difference!”

Pam Winkelman, John’s wife, also serves on the Lakeland Pantry Board of Directors. 

“Our pantry is a hub for Feeding America and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) so that means we accept several semi-truck loads of food each month, some of which we hold  for smaller pantries in the area,” explained Pam. “The additional space means we no longer need to unload trucks in the elements, improving safety for our wonderful volunteers and maintaining the quality of the food. Whole pallets can be moved into the freezer and stored there until the other pantries can pick them up.”

This expansion will create an additional 1500 square feet of storage space for non-perishable food and donated clothing. A sink with running water will be added to the storage area so produce can be washed and distributed immediately after delivery. A new 20 by 14-foot walk-in freezer and a 10 by 14-foot cooler (converted from the pantry’s existing 10 by 14-foot walk-in freezer) will be mounted outside of the addition with interior access to maximize the storage area of the addition.

The pantry fully reopened after COVID restrictions were lifted and the expansion was completed in mid-May. Though drive through pick up worked well while it was needed, volunteers were happy to welcome clients back into the building, and clients were happy to come inside, reconnect, pick up their food, peruse the clothing and book options and resume medical checks. 

Lakeland Pantry has always been vital not just for food and other basic physical needs, but also as a social outlet for both volunteers and clients. And of course, nothing would be possible without the generosity of donations.

“The Howard Young Foundation processes our donations,” Pam said. “But they also give us advice and help us get exposure. What we do wouldn’t be possible without their help and the generosity of the community and our  volunteers.”

Lakeland Pantry has a part time executive director, but the rest of the work is done by volunteers. This team is dedicated to providing help to those in need, and making our community a better place to live.

With greater capacity to serve more families comes the need to purchase more food. You can support the work of Lakeland Pantry by making a gift to the Lakeland Pantry Greatest Needs Fund through the Howard Young Foundation. Simply go to howardyoungfoundation.org or mail a check to the Howard Young Foundation, PO Box 470, Woodruff, WI 54568-0470.

Read more stories from our Summer 2022 Defining Moments Magazine HERE.