SERVICES
THE FOUNDING SERVICES OF FOCUS
FOCUS FOOD PANTRY
The FOCUS Food Pantry originally began in 1975 as the South Wood Emergency Pantry Shelf (SWEPS) to provide food to area residents only in emergency situations. SWEPS expanded dramatically over the last 45 years to now providing food on a regular basis to those in need in South Wood County. In 2020, SWEPS merged with The Neighborhood Table and the Rapids Family Backpacks program to become FOCUS. In 2020, the pantry provided food, hygiene products and educational services to over 6,300 households and nearly 18,500 people.
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FOCUS NEIGHBORHOOD MEALS
FOCUS Neighborhood Meals evolved from The Neighborhood Table (TNT), a free community meal service that began on New Year’s Eve in 2003. The original meal served about 50 people. The meal program grew substantially since 2003 and serves approximately 120 meals each Thursday night. FOCUS Neighborhood Meals is a place where all are welcome to enjoy a freshly cooked meal in a safe and friendly environment.
FOCUS FAMILY BACKPACKS
FOCUS Family Backpacks was established in 2011 as Rapids Family Backpacks to assist children with food insecurity over the weekend while away from school. Students take home a nondescript backpack filled with food items and a Kwik Trip voucher for perishable food items. The program currently runs from October to May and assists about 85 families.