GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — It's an unprecedented time for many families in Northeast Wisconsin.
And at Paul's Pantry in Green Bay, leaders say they're ready for what's here and what's to come.
"Paul's Pantry has always had an emergency plan in place for this very situation," executive director Craig Robbins said.
Robbins said up to 200 families fill their carts in a given day. Now, with kids home from school and mom or dad maybe home from work, they may need to come to the pantry more often.
"If we hit an increase we're prepared to handle it," he said.
At Paul's Pantry, families need to be qualified or registered to come.
Starting Tuesday. the Oshkosh Area School District will offer 'grab and go' meals regardless of current eligibility. Families in Appleton can also get meals from the district. Leaders at the Green Bay Area Public School Distrct said Monday that they're finalizing a plan to feed students.
Elsewhere, the NEW Community Shelter has instituted its emergency plan.
"We're revamping how we handle meals at the shelter," executive director Terri Refsguard said.
Beginning Monday, the shelter will give out boxed meals to go and will not be collecting food donations.
"The outlook is scary because this is going to be quite a financial cost to us to do so," Refsguard said.
Refsguard said the NEW Community Shelter is not taking food donations at this time. They are asking for monetary donations. At Paul's Pantry, people can donate food or money.
