Menards hosts countywide food drive for local pantries through March

All Menards home improvement stores began serving as drop sites for local food pantries on Jan. 13 and will accept donations through March 31. Shoppers can pick up nonperishable items in Menards’ grocery department—everything from boxes of cereal to cans of soup—and leave them in large collection boxes placed near the store exit doors for immediate donation.

For Menominee County residents, the partnership makes donating and supporting neighbors easier during winter months when food needs and transportation barriers rise. Rural distances, limited pantry hours and cold weather can make it harder for families, older adults and people with chronic illnesses to access consistent nutrition. Extra food contributions help local pantries stretch supplies and meet urgent demand while the county continues to address longer-term food security gaps.

From a public health perspective, access to shelf-stable but nutritious foods matters beyond preventing hunger. Stable food access supports management of chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, reduces stress on caregivers and lowers reliance on emergency services. Local pantries often coordinate with health clinics and social service agencies; increased donations can temporarily ease pressure on those informal referral networks that many residents depend on.

This Menards drive also highlights broader policy and equity questions. Drives like this mobilize immediate community generosity but do not replace the need for sustained investments in programs such as SNAP, school meal funding and local pantry infrastructure. Relying on episodic corporate-led drives can help response in the short term, but advocates say it should be paired with policy efforts to address the root causes of food insecurity in rural counties.

For people who want to help, focus on shelf-stable, nutrient-dense items with a long shelf life and check expiration dates before donating. Drop donations in the large collection box near the exit doors at any Menards location through March 31. If you need food assistance, reach out directly to local pantry contacts or community service agencies to learn current hours, distribution schedules and eligibility requirements.

This drive offers a simple opportunity for neighbors to support one another during the cold season, but it also underscores the need for sustained, equitable solutions so everyone in Menominee County can access healthy food year round.