Programs
General Program
HCFS is open every Monday and the first Saturday of each month (except holidays) from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Any resident of Sawyer County, Birchwood, Cable, Springbrook, or Stone Lake is eligible to receive assistance from HCFS. Enrollment is confidential and simple. No appointment is needed; just bring proof of address, an ID and a document showing social security numbers for each person being registered. No proof of income is required. Individuals can come once each month to receive a generous three-day supply of food. For details check the information provided under the “Need Food” and the “Brochure” tabs.
TEFAP
HCFS is an authorized food distributor in the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and provides no-cost groceries for households that have incomes up to 300% of the federal poverty level. HCFS will provide TEFAP food once a month. Click here to get more information about qualifying income levels for TEFAP.
Birthday Bags
When available, birthday bags are given to children ages 3 to 9 during their birthday month.
Food 4 Kids
Food 4 Kids is a year round “backpack” program that provides weekend meals to participating children who attend any Hayward Public School, any LCO School, or St. Francis Mission School. During the school year, weekend meals are provided weekly to the children at school. The food is distributed each Friday (or the last scheduled school day) at school.
Registration forms for the Food 4 Kids program are available at the school offices or click here to download a form.
Food 4 Kids Summer Program
During the summer (June, July and August), food for up to 8 extra meals may be picked up each month at the food shelf. Every child that attends any Hayward Public School, LCO School, St. Francis Mission School, or home schooled through one of these schools is eligible.
ATTENTION PARENTS: If your child attends one of the Hayward public schools, LCO schools or St. Francis Mission School, or is home schooled through one of these schools and will need food assistance this summer, now is the time to sign up for Hayward Community Food Shelf’s Food 4 Kids Summer Program for 2022. There is NO COST to the parent or child for this program. Click here to download a Bulletin with additional information and a registration form. Forms are also available from the schools and at the Hayward Community Food Shelf. F4K boxes will be available starting Saturday, June 4th and can be picked up by parents each month during the summer. There is no charge for this food and families do not need to be clients of the Hayward Community Food Shelf to receive this food.
Please note:
- At this time we are unable to provide Kid’s Meals to students with food allergies.
- Some items used are past the “Best Before” dates printed on the package. “Best Before” dates do not mean a product is expired. Review guidelines at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/food-labeling/food-product-dating/food-product-dating
Food 4 Seniors
Emergency bags of food are provided in conjunction with the Sawyer County Senior Resource Center’s Meals on Wheel Program. Click here to get more information about the Senior Resource Center: Home – Sawyer County Senior Resource Center – Serving the residents of Sawyer County in the beautiful northwoods of Wisconsin (seniorresourcecenternorth.org)
Food 4 Transition
Emergency bags of food are provided to the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Department for distribution as they deem appropriate.
Summer Picnic
In addition to regular food given to clients, ingredients for an end-of-the summer picnic are usually distributed in August.
Holiday Meals
An extra meal is given in November to help families celebrate a holiday. Those who don’t come in November may receive their holiday meal in December.
Additional programs may be available periodically at the discretion of the Board.