OSHKOSH, WI – (WISS) – As grocery prices increase, more people are facing food insecurity. Ryan Rasmussen, the executive director of Oshkosh Area Community Pantry (OACP) says his organization serves more than 2300 families each month.

“The need is just incredible. That’s nationwide. We’re no different,” says Rasmussen. “But right here in this community, we factor about 31% of our Winnebago County residents are facing food insecurity.”

Rasmussen says there was a 70% increase in people using the pantry between 2022 and 2023. He says they are facing another 20% increase this year. Inflation is partially to blame.

“The need is crazy out there. There is a lot of reasons for that,” said Rasmussen. “Life is happening. Everything is more expensive than it was before.”

Rasmussen says that food insecurities can happen for many reasons from the loss of a job, to going through a divorce, to medical expenses.

“Those are exactly the types of people that we want to make sure we’re there for. There’s something that’s happened in their life. We want to be there to make sure thay have their food needs,” said Rasmussen.

OACP breaks down barriers

To help serve the people of Winnebago County, Rasmussen says the OACP makes it easy for people to use the pantry. Proof of identity and proof of residence is all people need to show in order to get the help they need. Additionally, the pantry tries to make the process seem more natural to the user.

“We also want to make our pantry experience so much better. Unlike a traditional pantry model where you go to the pantry and receive a box of food, we’re set up just like a grocery store,” said Rasmussen. “We just find that it allows our guests to retain so much more dignity.”

The U.S. Census Household Plus Survey shows the average American household spends about $270 a week on groceries. The Wisconsin Average is around $221 a week.