Milwaukee groups provide food on Christmas Eve

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee-area groups and volunteers are stepping up, despite extra pressure, to help make sure families have food for the holidays. 

WestCare Wisconsin

Local perspective:

WestCare Wisconsin held a giveaway on Christmas Eve. A handful of volunteers came to the pantry early in the morning to help pack boxes of food. 

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The organization's regional administrator said food insecurity is typically high this time of year. She added that the pantry relies heavily on donations, as well as partnerships and other organizations.

"They could come every week, because times are hard," she said. "The turnout today, the day before Christmas, people did a lot of Christmas shopping, so they may be in more need of food, and we are prepared."

WestCare Wisconsin expects to give away more than 200 boxes.

Government shutdown

The backstory:

Food pantries have been in high demand, even after the government reopened in November. The longest shutdown in U.S. history caused delays in SNAP benefits, which left people racing toward food pantries to fill the gap.

The shutdown had lasting effects on pantries like WestCare. Staff members there said, when it comes to keeping shelves stocked, next year looks uncertain.

St. Ben's Community Meal

Local perspective:

Capuchin Community Services, volunteers and staff joined Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob to serve the city's unhoused and low-income neighbors at St. Ben's.

"I like to think of this place as our little Bethlehem, with the difference that in Bethlehem somebody was excluded, somebody was sent away, but we don't want to send away anybody," said Grob.

Doors opened Wednesday afternoon with a blessing and a traditional feast of roast beef, mashed potatoes and corn – offering warmth, community and hope on the day before Christmas.