Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin Donates $25,000 in Support of Food Pantries Across the State Facing Record Demand

Media Contact: Ben Jackey, Ben.Jackey@molinahealthcare.com, (502) 377-9484

MILWAUKEE, Wisc., November 24, 2025 – Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin (“Molina”) presented grants to seven food pantries spread across the state to help stock their shelves. The donations will support food centers in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Madison, Sun Prairie, Green Bay and Oshkosh. The $25,000 donation provides relief for charities overwhelmed with demand due to the winter months approaching and the temporary pause on FoodShare (SNAP) benefits.

Over 700,000 Wisconsinites were impacted by the government shutdown, which is nearly 1 in 8 residents. With more than 60 percent of FoodShare recipients being children, the disruption intensified pressure on food pantries and community centers already struggling to meet an unprecedented number of requests for assistance.

“Due to the government shutdown, FoodShare benefits for November left families uncertain as to where their next meal may come from,” said Elizabeth Ahnert, program manager for Oshkosh Area Community Pantry. “As a result, we saw an increase in need as our call volume and guest visits spiked. Thanks to Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin and our community wrapping their arms around us during this challenging time, we were able to continue our steadfast mission and be a reliable source of food for these families. We are so grateful for their support.”

Molina donated to the following pantries:

NourishMKE is the largest network of community food centers in Milwaukee. Last year alone, the organization served more than 59,000 individuals, and demand for their services continues to grow.
Friends with Food serves more than 300 families a week in Waukesha and the surrounding area. They offer a weekly food pantry and monthly clothing giveaway.
The Goodman Center Madison hosts an annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive, providing meals to over 4,000Dane County families. The organization says it has seen unprecedented need, including many first-time visitors.
East Madison Community Center in Madison serves over 1,000 residents who are food insecure. Molina’s donation will help the center stock its pantry and Munch Truck program which delivers takeout bags filled with sandwiches, fruit, snacks and vegetables to neighbors in need.
Sunshine Place in Sun Prairie offers help with housing, food and other barriers to family and household stability. Molina’s giving will help support some of their food programs including: Senior Boxes is for ages 60 and over; Food for Kids is a partnership with Sun Prairie Community Schools, supporting students during the school year and over school breaks; Sunshine Suppers offer free, hot meal on Mondays; and, Thanksgiving baskets are distributed during regular pantry hours in the two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.
Paul’s Pantry in Green Bayhas welcomed more than 64,000 visits, serving an average of 255 families every single day. In just the last week alone, 2,001 families turned to Paul’s Pantry for help, pushing the daily average to 285 families a day.
Oshkosh Area Community Pantry distributes groceries and essentials tomore than 31,000 guests, but demand has surged in recent weeks.

“Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin eagerly answered the call from food centers around the state facing unprecedented demand,” said Brett Davis, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin. “Food is a critical part of overall health and wellness, and Molina is proud to partner with these great organizations filling in the gaps by meeting this basic need.”

Beyond its financial contributions, Molina employees across Wisconsin organized a statewide food drive, collecting over 1,000 pounds of nonperishable food for NourishMKE and the East Madison Community Center to further support families in need.

About Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin

Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin, Inc. provides government-funded, quality health care, serving members through Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace programs in Wisconsin. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and through state insurance marketplaces. For more information about Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.

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