More than 900 households benefitted from Rhinelander’s Personal Essentials Pantry (PEP) in 2019. New households accounted for 125 of those. All total, 2,303 people in need received personal and household hygiene products during the year. Most of the clients served live in the Rhinelander area, however 20 other towns, including Minocqua, Crandon, Three Lakes and Tomahawk were represented.

PEP board members said none of this could have been done without leadership, volunteers and donations from the community, including United Way of the Northwoods and businesses that work with PEP to get supplies at lower prices.

The Personal Essentials Pantry is located in the lower level of the First United Methodist Church at 724 Arbutus St., Rhinelander. The pantry is open 3:30-5:30 p.m., the second Monday of each month and 9 a.m.-noon the last Saturday of the month.