MILWAUKEE – With SNAP benefits still delayed two days into November, one Milwaukee church is stepping up to help families put food on the table.

What we know:

At Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God in Christ on the city’s north side, addressing hunger has become just as essential as Sunday worship. The church, home to roughly 2,500 members, operates the Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry – serving hundreds of families each month.

Volunteer Gabrielle Mallory says she’s motivated by faith and compassion.

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“We have to be there for each other and right now, a lot of people need help,” she said.

Mallory helps load and distribute food for those in need.

“Go to pantries, load up, and ask people if they need any food and whatever I have, I will share it with them,” she said.

Pantry coordinator Tanisha Collins-Johnson says the federal government shutdown and delayed SNAP benefits is a big factor in the growing demand.

“We’re seeing an influx of people come through the door that’s in need. Children, family, seniors – you’re seeing a lot more people coming to the food pantry,” she said.

The church relies on donations from its congregation to keep the shelves stocked.

What they’re saying:

“The little you think that may not be a lot, it may be a lot in God’s hands, so bring it,” said Lead Pastor Jeremy Q. Henry. “We want to engage everyone in the community efforts here.”

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Efforts extend into the holiday season, where Holy Redeemer expects to serve more than 1,000 families across the city.

“The service never stops,” Mallory said. “This is a highly needed service right now when it comes to providing food to people that need it.”

No matter the state of the government shutdown, church leaders say the pantry will remain open every Wednesday and Sunday – continuing to make hunger relief a priority.

Forecast from FOX6 Meteorologist Stephanie Barichello

MILWAUKEE – A frosty and cold start to the morning, with partly sunny skies ahead this afternoon. Temperatures will top out around 50°.
Increasing clouds tonight with a chance for rain showers through early Monday morning.
Back to sunshine Monday with temperatures in the mid 50s, and similar conditions through midweek.
Cooler Thursday then a chance for rain Thursday night into Friday morning.

Today:    Partly sunny.
High:     50°
Wind:     SW 5-15

Tonight:  Chance rain showers.
Low:      42°
Wind:     SW 5-15

Monday:   Showers early, then mostly sunny. Windy.
High:     56°
Wind:     W 10-20

Tuesday:  Partly sunny.
AM Low:   38°                    High:  58°
Wind:     SE 5-10

Wednesday: Partly sunny.
AM Low:   46°                    High:  56°
Wind:     NW 5-15

Thursday: Increasing clouds. Chance showers at night.
AM Low:   36°                    High:  52°
Wind:     S 5-15

Friday:   Mainly morning rain showers. Mostly cloudy.
AM Low:   46°                    High:  58°
Wind:     NW 5-15
 

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MILWAUKEE – Ryan Ufko continued his hot offensive streak, scoring a goal and adding an assist, as the Admirals earned a point in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Cleveland Monsters on Friday night.

By the numbers:

Ufko has scored a goal in four straight games and has 11 points in his past five contests, which includes four multipoint games. Jake Lucchini also chipped in a goal, his first of the season, and an assist in the contest, while Matt Murray made 36 saves in net for Milwaukee.

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The Admirals were down 2-0 12:12 into the game after Cleveland’s Luca Del Bel Belluz scored twice in a 4:17 span, but the Ads battled back with two of their own to knot the score at 2-2.

Lucchini got the Ads on the board when his initial shot from the right dot sailed wide and up the board where Ufko held the line. He passed back to Lucchini, who had moved into the slot, and ripped a shot past Cleveland goalie Ivan Fedetov.

Ufko found the back of the net 23 seconds into the second period as his shot from the right face-off dot sailed over Fedetov’s shoulder as an Admirals power-play was winding down.

David Edstrom gave the Admirals their first lead of the night 1:23 later as he picked up a shorthanded tally by collecting the rebound of a Reid Schaefer shot and depositing it into a wide open net for his second of the season.  

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However, the Monsters evened things up at 3-3 as Jordan Dumais scored his first of the season at the 13:47 mark of the sandwich frame.

After a scoreless third period, Jack Williams won it for Cleveland when he scored at the 2:15 mark of the overtime session.

What’s next:

The Admirals and Monsters get right back at it on Saturday night as they go for round two – 6 p.m. at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena.