Tosa Community Food Pantry Finds New Home, Continues Vital Mission

When the St. Bernard Church in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin announced its closure and sale to a developer, the volunteers of the Tosa Community Food Pantry knew they had to find a new location to continue their essential work. With determination and community support, they secured a new home at the Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church, ensuring the pantry's vital services remain accessible to those in need.

Feeding the Community, Nourishing Hope

Adapting to Change, Maintaining Mission

The Tosa Community Food Pantry had operated out of the St. Bernard Church building since 1983, providing food assistance to individuals and families in the surrounding 53213, 53222, 53225, and 53226 zip codes. When the church announced its closure and impending sale, the pantry's volunteers knew they had to act quickly to find a new home. "We know there's still a need," said Karen Zimmerman, the pantry's board secretary, underscoring the organization's unwavering commitment to serving the community.After reaching out to local churches, the pantry found a welcoming partner in the Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church, located just a few blocks from the former St. Bernard site. The new space not only offers increased square footage, but also maintains the pantry's accessibility, with a bus route nearby and the option of a ramp or stairs for clients to enter.

Embracing a New Chapter, Honoring the Past

The transition to the Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church marks a new chapter for the Tosa Community Food Pantry, but the organization is also taking time to acknowledge and honor its history at the St. Bernard Church. "We'll thank St. Bernard's for the many years of hosting, and bless them," said Rev. Kate Jones, the pastor of the Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church, "and then make way for a new season."To commemorate the pantry's new location, the church will host a community meal and celebration on August 19th, inviting guests from the pantry, major donor organizations, church members, and the public to come together and celebrate this new beginning. The event will serve as a bridge between the pantry's past and its promising future, ensuring that the vital work of feeding the community continues uninterrupted.

Serving with Compassion, Upholding Dignity

The Tosa Community Food Pantry's mission is to provide food assistance to those in need, while upholding the dignity and respect of its clients. Theresa Zwaska, a volunteer with the pantry, explains the process: "Depending on the number of people in their household, clients walk away with bags of tuna, beef and other proteins, as well as vegetables, butter, eggs and other groceries."To access the pantry's services, individuals must reside within the designated zip codes and meet the income requirements set by the Hunger Task Force. However, the pantry's volunteers emphasize that they do not turn away those in emergency situations, regardless of their location or documentation. "If they need food, we've got food," Zimmerman affirms, underscoring the organization's compassionate approach to serving the community.

Sustaining the Pantry through Donations

The Tosa Community Food Pantry relies on the generosity of the community to continue its vital work. Monetary donations can be sent directly to the organization, while non-perishable food items can be dropped off during the pantry's operating hours on Mondays from 1 to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m.The pantry's website outlines the specific items it is always in need of, including low-sodium canned vegetables, low-sugar canned fruits, canned soups, canned proteins, peanut butter and jelly, dried beans, whole grain pasta and pasta sauce, and dried fruit. These donations help the pantry stock its shelves and ensure that it can continue to provide a diverse selection of nutritious food to its clients.As the Tosa Community Food Pantry embarks on this new chapter, the organization's unwavering commitment to serving the community remains steadfast. With the support of the Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church and the generosity of local donors, the pantry is poised to continue its vital mission of nourishing bodies and uplifting spirits for years to come.