Combating Food Insecurity in Northeast Wisconsin: How Civic Media is Making a Difference

In Green Bay, Wisconsin, food insecurity is a pressing issue affecting many, including children, students, and adults. Delorean Walls, Co-Chair of Brothers Helping Brothers Wisconsin, shared that upcoming events will address this concern. A roundtable discussion on food insecurity among college students is set for April 15 at St. Norbert’s College. Following that, there will be a food drive on April 23, known as the Packers Superfan Food Drive, benefiting the St. Norbert’s food pantry at 1st and Goal on University Avenue.

“Bring a canned good, and you’ll be eligible for some prizes,” Walls said. “We hope to collect over 1,000 pounds of food for the pantry.” This kind of initiative is crucial, especially as food banks in Wisconsin face significant funding cuts, losing more than $2 million from federal programs.

Food insecurity affects many people, with estimates indicating that about one in three in Brown County struggle with it. According to Walls, around 22.8% of residents face food insecurity, while 31.7% experience reduced food security, meaning they may not consistently have enough nutritious food for a healthy life. Poor food availability can lead to chronic health problems such as obesity and diabetes, highlighting the importance of addressing this issue.

“People often overlook this problem,” Walls noted. “Even though Green Bay is ranked as a safe place to live, many forget the psychological impact of food insecurity. When basic needs are unmet, it creates a sense of instability.”

Walls draws from personal experience. He faced food insecurity as both a child and an adult. “Growing up in a one-bedroom apartment with my family, we often struggled to make sure we had enough to eat. I remember eating noodles multiple times a week and relying on boxes of food filled with basics like powdered milk and cheese,” he recounted.

He stressed that efforts to combat food insecurity should be proactive. “In summer, when kids are out of school, we need to address their access to meals. It could cost only about $18,000 to provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks for every child in Brown County,” he said, emphasizing the affordable solutions available.

Walls plans to travel to Madison with the Food Leadership Lab to advocate for more funding. Many lawmakers, he believes, don’t see hunger as a significant issue. “For children, lack of food can have a lasting impact. Many kids come to school just for breakfast, and if they’re suspended, they miss out on that meal,” he explained, becoming emotional sharing these stories.

Efforts like Walls’ are vital as food insecurity remains an invisible struggle for many families. A report from the USDA suggests that nearly 10% of U.S. households were food insecure at some point in 2021. This highlights a growing concern, especially when federal assistance is being cut. Local initiatives, such as the food drive, illustrate how the community can come together to tackle this complex issue, one meal at a time.

For those interested in the conversation around food access and community support, you can catch more of Walls’ insights on Civic Media’s Maino and the Mayor Show, aired weekdays from 6 – 9 am on 98.3/96.5 WISS and 97.9 WGBW.

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