Change underway this fall for Medford, Rusk County food pantries

Indianhead Community Action Agency (ICAA) announces at effective October 1, 2025, ICAA will no longer serve as the grantee for the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and will conclude its partnership with food pantries across its service area. ICAA has been honored to support families and individuals in need through TEFAP for many years. “Serving our communities through this program has been a privilege,” said Jennifer Shearer, CEO of ICAA. “We are deeply grateful for the trust and support we've received from pantry partners and the public.” With the upcoming closure of Indianhead Community Action Agency’s (ICAA) Rusk County Food Pantry in Ladysmith and Taylor County Food Pantry in Medford, Feed My People Food Bank (FMP) is reaffirming its commitment to ensuring continued access to food for individuals and families in need across the region. As the only food bank in West Central Wisconsin, FMP serves 14 counties, including Rusk and Taylor. FMP is actively coordinating with local hunger-relief partners and community stakeholders to assess needs and plan for next steps. The closures are expected to take place on September 30, and FMP is preparing for immediate and long-term responses to prevent gaps in food access and ensure a smooth transition. “While the details are still being finalized, our focus remains on making sure no one in our region goes without the food they need,” said Padraig Gallagher, executive director of Feed My People. “We will work with remaining partners and community stakeholders in Ladysmith and Medford to explore options and maintain support.” Potential solutions will involve support from community stakeholders in and around Ladysmith and Medford. These solutions may include reopening the pantries in the same locations, finding new facilities, or launching mobile food distributions as an interim measure. As of October 1, FMP will also take over administration and distribution of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) in Rusk, Taylor, Clark, Sawyer, Washburn and Burnett counties. The USDA program, which provides nutritious, high-quality food at no cost to eligible households, will continue to be administered by ICAA until September 30. “Feed My People looks forward to coordinating with ICAA during this transition,” Gallagher said. “We are excited to partner with current TEFAP pantries and hope to grow the impact of this important program in the region.” Financial contributions are one of the most effective ways to support these efforts. Every gift to FMP, or a local community pantry, will help fill gaps and ensure that food reaches those who need it most.