Ashippun food pantry gets larger space

Posted: Oct. 31, 2012

Town of Ashippun - A recent move to larger quarters will help a charitable endeavor more efficiently meet a growing need in the community.

The Ashippun Bread Basket will celebrate its new location, W2445 Oak St., Ashippun, with an Open House from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3 and from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Nov. 4.

"The new space is about 3,000 square feet," said Pantry President Diane Chadwick.

The extra space allows them to accommodate more people at one time. In the former location, some of the pantry clients would have to wait outside until there was room inside to enter.

"It has a much better traffic flow as far as going down the aisle to pick items and a waiting space is also larger," she said.

In addition, Chadwick said, organizers can now "hold training and board meetings at the new site instead of local churches."

The need for the food pantry in the community continues to grow.

"We are currently serving between 28 and 30 families weekly," Chadwick said, noting that trend is increasing.

The Ashippun Bread Basket serves an area from the lower part of Dodge County, which would include from the Washington/Waukesha Country lines, up to Highway 60, over to Hustisford and down County Road R to SC to CW (the Waukesha County line).

 Those in need can come once a week to the pantry, and receive "the basic needs: canned vegetable, canned fruit, soup, peanut butter, jelly, cereal item, main dish item, canned meat or frozen meat package, milk, bread and when available eggs, margarine, and cheese. The quantities offered depend on size on family."

Leaders of The Ashippun Bread Basket say the items it is most in need of include: soup, cereal, pasta, peanut butter, jelly or jam, canned fruit and toilet paper.

The new space - three times the size of the previous pantry - is being provided by 5g's LLC at a reduced rent.

With rent and utilities and other operating expenses, Chadwick said the cost of running the pantry at this time is approximately $1,500 monthly.

"This is a community food pantry serving those in true need," she said.

Donations for the food pantry can be dropped off at the Town Hall, W1266 Highway O, during the clerk's office hours, from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

The Ashippun Brad Basket is open from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays and from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays.

Monetary donations can be made to P.O. Box 41, Ashippun, WI 53003.

open house

What: Ashippun Bread Basket hosts an open house in new location

When: 10 a.m. to noon, Sunday, Nov. 4

Where: W2445 Oak St., Ashippun

Info: The Ashippun Brad Basket is open from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays and from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays. Monetary donations can be made to P.O. Box 41, Ashippun, WI 53003. Donations can be dropped off at the Town Hall, W1266 Highway O, from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.