Written in partnership with Selena Schultz, UWKC volunteer
The Sharing Center in Trevor, WI, offers a wide variety of resources to low-income and homeless families in rural Kenosha County including emergency housing, clothing, senior programs, and nutrition services.
Late last year, Jevon Claussen, Senior Director of Community Impact Operations at United Way of Kenosha County, led Community Investment Committee members through mid-year site visits at our grant partner agencies. During their visits, committee members evaluate the programs and make connections with dedicated staff members.
A highlight of one of their visits last year included an eye-opening experience where the parking lot and food pantry were overflowing with people in need of help, seeking resources and services at The Sharing Center. Jevon had never seen a crowd that large before.
“While we saw decreased need during the early COVID-19 precautions, since then, the needs of our community have spiked, rising past previous highs,” says Sharon Pomaville, Executive Director at The Sharing Center. “It has been a record-breaking year, unfortunately.”
Sharon’s deep concern is that state and federal regulations do not allow for the majority of rural Kenosha schools and service providers to facilitate student summer meal programs or home delivery of summer meals, despite more than half of students’ family income qualifying for the federal summer meal program.
The Sharing Center has encountered multiple families in desperate need of healthy food options due to severe health conditions and has since partnered with local farms and orchards to provide farm-to-table nutritious food sources to the community. They now offer a Healthy Choice Food Pantry that can accommodate those affected by chronic health conditions requiring dietary restrictions or modifications. United Way of Kenosha County’s funding has allowed The Sharing Center to provide stable housing to homeless families and high-quality, nutritious food to nearly 5,000 rural residents annually.
After restructuring the focus on healthy pantry options, they were able to develop subprograms such as Spice of the Month, Children's Summer Nutrition Program, and an on-site garden and orchard.
United Way of Kenosha County’s partnering agencies provide effective and comprehensive support services to end homelessness and hunger in our community. We have built stronger relationships with our funded partners and seize opportunities to be mutually beneficial to each other and our community.
You can help support UWKC’s Community Investment grant program and other local initiatives by sending contributions directly to United Way of Kenosha County at 5500 6th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53140, or by donating online at kenoshaunitedway.org/donate.