The Rhinelander Area Food Pantry has a new home. During an open house Tuesday, WXPR'S Ken Krall saw a facility better set up to handle the many families who rely on the pantry.
Guy Hansen is leading a tour Tuesday afternoon.
The new facility is at the former Golden Harvest store. Hansen says the building has been remodeled to more efficiently use the space and will be easier for customers to use.
About 400 households use the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry each month. He says the property is about the same square footage as the former location, but is all on one level and is set up for customers to move through easily and check out.
Hansen thanked the many contributors and volunteers who helped undertake the major change. One of the contributors was the USDA Rural Development. State Director Stan Gruszynski said his office chipped in $26,000 to help the cause. He says he was in Rhinelander in April and noticed the pantry needed help. He says in rural Wisconsin there are many areas where it's difficult to find affordable food.
Hansen says many unnamed professionals helped them with various aspects of the remodeling. About 400 households use the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry each month and Hansen says it has remained at that level for the past few years.
