What are personal essentials?
Personal essentials are the toiletry and household items pertinent to everyday life. These items include everything from diapers to all-purpose cleaner.

Why is there a special pantry for these items?
Unfortunately, food stamps do not cover non-food items, a category that includes all personal essential items. Local food pantries do not regularly stock these items either. Just imagine trying to get your baby ready for daycare without diapers or prepare for a big interview without deodorant. Personal essentials are an important part of everyday life!

Where is the Good Neighbors Personal Essentials Pantry located?
The Good Neighbors Personal Essentials Pantry is located in Arbor Covenant Church at 2509 McDivitt Road in Fitchburg, WI. It is open every Friday from 10 am – 1 pm & the third Thursday of the month from 5:30-7:30 pm. During pantry hours on Friday mornings, the Freshmobile is in the area selling fresh fruits and vegetables at reduced cost.

What are the requirements for using the Good Neighbors Personal Essentials Pantry?
The pantry is open to anyone in need, regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. There are no limits to how frequently the pantry can be visited, although there are specific limits per item per month. Eligibility for a given item and amount distributed is based on age, gender, and family size.

What are the sources of funding?
We are funded by the members of the congregations and congregational budgets, fund-raising events and donations from area businesses and individuals.

Wouldn't it be more effective to have us collect items for the pantry?
While in-kind donations are great, your actual dollars can help the pantry even more. The pantry can buy supplies at wholesale costs. That means that on average, three items can be purchased wholesale for the same dollars as one item commercially. We try to balance cost and environmental and fiscal responsibility to get supplies at a good cost while not supporting companies who don't pay living wages.

Are donations tax deductible?
Yes! Arbor Covenant Church is acting as the fiscal agency for the pantry, allowing the pantry to use its non-profit status. Checks can be made payable to "Arbor Covenant Church" with PEP in the memo line. Designated donations can also be made through PEPartnership, a qualified 501(c)(3) organization.
Click here for more information or to donate online.

What is The PEPartnership, Inc?
This is an organization started by the first personal essentials pantry in Madison. They were originally located in Zion Lutheran Church, but now are in Plymouth United church of Christ in Madison, WI. Along with running the largest personal essentials pantry in Madison, they have also developed software and provide support to new pantries. More info is online at www.pepartnership.net.