DANE COUNTY (WKOW) -- As Thanksgiving nears, food pantries across southern Wisconsin report record demand and generous community support.

In Beloit, Messiah Lutheran Church's food pantry started in 2021 with 17 cars and now serves about 9,000 people each year.

"It's one thing to have it for yourself, but the best thing you can do is give to others," said Carol Wilkins, who helped start the pantry.

Baraboo's Beyond Blessed Food Pantry has also seen a surge.

"We jumped about 400 households in about two weeks because of the pause on SNAP," said director Shannon Howley. Her team prepared Thanksgiving boxes for nearly 1,500 families.

In Madison, the Goodman Community Center's meal kits filled up in five hours, down from 24 hours last year. About 4,000 families will get turkey, fresh produc

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