Campbellsport Food Pantry Rallies to Support Those in Need

For more than 50 years, the Campbellsport Food Pantry has quietly supported families in need throughout the Campbellsport area. As economic uncertainty and past government shutdowns ripple across the country, the pantry has seen demand surge — and the community step up in response.
“Last month, we served 55 cars in less than 90 minutes,” said Lenore, a member of the food pantry’s volunteer committee. “That’s a significant increase from the 35 to 40 families we typically served before.”
Volunteers attribute the rise not only to previous government shutdowns but also to the ongoing challenges faced by families during winter.
The pantry, run entirely by volunteers, has a core committee of six and typically mobilizes seven to eight volunteers for its occasional food distribution events. Staff said most of the food distribution is done on an individual basis, with those in need contacting the group directly, setting up a designated time for pick-ups.
“It’s a huge positive that our village has this local food pantry to help people in our area,” said Campbellsport Police Chief Andrea Dowland. “The cooperation of the community at large is fantastic — there’s a lot of generosity and camaraderie.”

Normally, the pantry does not hold drive-through pickup days, but it had held emergency pickups at the Campbellsport Piggly Wiggly, most recently on Nov. 12. Staff noted future drive-through dates could be a possibility. Recipients were asked to enter via the store’s north
entrance and show a driver’s license to confirm residence in the Campbellsport School District.
The Piggly Wiggly location is central to the pantry’s operations.
“Our Piggly Wiggly is a huge foundation to our pantry being a success,” Dowland said.
Store employees help bag items and provide space for the drive-through line, making it easier for families to receive assistance discreetly and efficiently.
While the pantry does not track donations by weight, volunteers report a sharp increase in both food and cash donations in recent months.
“There’s been a drastic increase in people just willing to help in any way they can, whether it’s food or cash,” Lenore said.
While the pantry cannot accept home-canned or perishable foods, it welcomes non-expired, non-glass, shelf-stable items, as well as cleaning and hygiene products, paper goods, and feminine products.
Donations can be dropped off at St. Matthew’s Parish Center or the Campbellsport Piggly Wiggly. The Campbellsport Police Department is also accepting donations in its lobby.
The pantry’s close relationship with local law enforcement helps connect families with additional resources when necessary. Volunteers recommend that those seeking assistance contact the Salvation Army or St. Vincent de Paul for referrals, as those organizations can provide broader support, such as fuel assistance or health services.
For those considering volunteering or donating, pantry committee members offer heartfelt encouragement.
“If you’re on the fence about helping, do it once. It will make you feel good, and you’ll want to do it again, because you’re helping somebody else,” Dowland said. “Even if you buy one thing or volunteer one time, that makes a difference.”
In Campbellsport, the food pantry remains a testament to the power of community, proving that — as one pantry leader put it — “it takes a village to run a village.”