The Brodhead Area Foundation has recently awarded a grant to the Green Cares Food Pantry to combat food insecurity within Green County. These grant funds will be used to purchase food at the Second Harvest Food Bank for pantry families. During 2016, 14% of Green Cares families were from the Brodhead area.

Formed in August 2009, Green Cares Food Pantry continues to be a volunteer managed food pantry, providing approximately one week’s worth of food to low-income Green County families. Foods given to families include frozen meats, canned vegetables and fruits, fresh vegetables in season, a variety of bread and bakery goods, shelf milk, and juice. Each eligible household can receive food once during a month. During 2015, Green Cares served 2,889 households representing 8,774 individuals. The numbers of households and individuals increased in 2016 to 3,089 households representing 9,032 individuals, and the pantry’s 2017 usage will be higher than prior years.

Green Cares relies on the donations of the community to continue to serve approximately 250 – 300 families each month with food. The Foundation is supporting the efforts of the Green Cares Food Pantry as they believe no one should be hungry.

Jan Olson, Chair of the Green Cares Board of Directors, noted, “Green Cares continues to be able to provide food to those in need because donors like the Brodhead Area Foundation find hunger unacceptable.”

The Green Cares Food Pantry is located at W5198 County Road C, Monticello, and its hours of operation are Tuesdays from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., with expanded hours on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m .; Thursdays from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m .; and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. If you know of someone that needs assistance, please encourage them to call (608) 938-4238 to schedule a confidential appointment with a Green Cares volunteer.