Food Shelf End of Year Report Shows More Food, More Families

Hayward Community Food Shelf

Press Release

Together, Hayward Community Food Shelf, its donors and many volunteers helped even more hungry families in 2023 than in 2022.  Our mission is to help those in need of food assistance in a compassionate, efficient and non-judgmental manner and we believe together, we did that again in 2023.  By the end of 2023, over 441,000 pounds of food was distributed to food insecure individuals in our community by HCFS.  624 families (1,544 individuals), 125 homebound senior citizens and 208 kids were the recipients of this much needed food. Recipients resided in Sawyer County and its collar communities plus a few families at the end of the year from Washburn County when one of its food shelves closed.  Some recipients came just one time, some a few times and others came every month.

To be more precise, final statistics show HCFS distributed 74,185 more pounds of food and served 102 more families (192 more individuals) in 2023 than 2022.  This was done with the food and financial assistance of many local individuals, businesses and organization plus many others who have ties to this area across the country.  It took all of our 100 volunteers, who gave tirelessly of their time and energy, to get the food to those in need.  Job well done!

A BIG thank you to everyone who helped make 2023 another successful year for the Hayward Community Food Shelf!  Whether you donated a can of food to a food drive, made a financial donation, gave of your time and energy to our efforts or something else, your support this past year meant HCFS was able to help many in our community with their food needs.  Your support was greatly appreciated!

HCFS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is operated totally by volunteers without any compensation and without any government funding.  It is the donations from individuals, businesses, civic organizations and churches that make it possible for HCFS to give this much needed food assistance.  HCFS is a reflection of the kind of community in which we live and we are proud to call this community our home.

HCFS is also the only food shelf in Sawyer County to distribute food from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).  This is made possible be joining efforts with Indianhead Community Action Agency (ICAA) in Ladysmith.  They receive, transport and donate the food to HCFS.  HCFS distributes it to local residents.  Without HCFS, our neighbors would not be able to receive this food.

Sawyer County is ranked #1 in food insecurity for children and #2 for adults when compared with the 14 counties served by Feed My People of Eau Claire.  We hope you will continue your support so we help our food insecure neighbors in 2024.

Please know that as each bag of food was given, a thank you was heard, a smile seen and your generosity made life a little easier for many in need in our community.  Thank you!

Happy New Year to all!