Food bank receives donation of 151,200 eggs

MILWAUKEE – A local food bank received an "egg-cellent" donation just in time for Easter.  Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin received 151,200 eggs Wednesday.  That’s 420 cases, or 12,600 dozen eggs.

For the fifth straight year, S&R Egg Farms in Whitewater donated the eggs. “We've been in business since 1958, and we always try to give back a little bit,” S&R manager Nick Schimpf said.

“We haven't been getting a lot of egg donations recently, and eggs have come up to the top of the list, so we're happy to be able to provide this great product just before Easter,” Gina Styer from Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin said.

On Wednesday, hundreds of participating food pantries and area shelters picked up three cases each, giving them 90 dozen more eggs to add to their daily supply. “We serve 80 meals, times three. “If you know the cost of eggs nowadays, it's saving a lot of money.  Also, with Easter coming up fast, we'll be able to give eggs out in the community for the kids,” James Taylor, who runs the Family House on Milwaukee’s north side said.

Volunteers say the need for food has only risen over time. Demand has grown 26 percent over the past year at Feeding America.  Last year, the food bank broke a record, distributing 15.4 million pounds of food. “If distribution keeps up at the rate that it is right now, we'll distribute over 18 million pounds of food, which is an additional two semi loads per day.  So definitely, the need is great.  It's growing,” Styer said.

Easter egg donations are an annual effort by egg farmers nationwide.  This year, nearly 10 million eggs are being donated to food banks across the country.