Metcalfe Park residents face problems in food access after last grocery store in area closes, food pantry picks up shortfall

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It's now been six months since the only grocery store in Milwaukee Metcalfe Park neighborhood closed and a local food pantry is now picking up the slack. 

Local leaders, together with 'Metcalfe Park Community Bridges' came together Saturday, Dec. 20, to highlight the pantry's early successes. 

The Metcalfe Park People's Pantry, since opening on Dec. 7, has already handed out thousands of pounds of food, feeding hundreds in the area. 

Officials say while it's big help, there are still problems to fix. 

"The situation here is still critical. Months have come and gone by since the last grocery store closed and neighborhoods like Metcalfe Park still face barriers to food access," said Sup. Marcelia Nicholson-Bovell, chairwoman on Milwaukee's County Board of Supervisors. 

Milwaukee County Supervisor Anne O'Conner was at Saturday's meeting. She said the board is currently looking at ideas from other cities around the country to get new grocery stores back into Metcalfe Park.