Split the Plate is one of UUCW’s programs of outreach and generosity. Each month we give half the undesignated offering monies to a worthy cause as a way to help us live our Unitarian Universalist values and serve our community.
Our Split the Plate partner for March is Riverwest Food Pantry. With the challenges of the pandemic, they have seen a 30% increase in requests for food assistance in 2020. Our generous support is urgently needed.
The pantry operates out of St. Casmir Church at 924 E. Clarke Street in Milwaukee where it has been since 1979. They serve the unemployed and underemployed, socially isolated, minorities and children. Last year they served over 13,000 community members plus their households. They serve zip code areas 53212, 53211, 53217, 53202, and 53203. Their typical community member served has a monthly income of $1,300 or less.
Riverwest does much more than provide food. They live the Community Food Center approach. This approach is built on three pillars: BELONGING—they strive to foster kinship and community engagement; PROSPERITY – create stability and economic opportunity; NOURISHMENT –providing nourishing food, food security, and promoting wellness through improved diet.
They offer cooking of collaboratively prepared meals paired with training on economic opportunity, wellness, community action, and social justice.
The pantry offers healthy food and an educational experience which includes chef demonstrations, homemade breakfasts, and a thrift store.
They provide crisis assistance mentoring to help with homelessness, eviction and unemployment along with other issues.
Riverwest depends on over 4,000 volunteers and over 14,000 volunteer hours to provide community services. Your volunteer time would be greatly appreciated. If you are interested, check Riverwest Food Pantry for more information.
We know some folks have been hit harder than others by this pandemic, so we ask you to do the best you can here. Your donation is urgently needed to help purchase food for distribution. Please click on the “Donate” button right now to provide a helping hand for this good work. For more information about Split the Plate, contact Kathy Herrewig.
