Fue Xiong Increases Access to Healthy Food for Limited English Proficiency Residents on Milwaukee’s North Side
Courtesy of Quadracci Family
50 Faces. 50 Stories. 50 Years of Fighting Hunger.
Hunger Task Force is proud to be Milwaukee’s only Free & Local food bank and Wisconsin’s anti-hunger leader. In celebration of our 50th Anniversary, Hunger Task Force is highlighting “50 Faces of Ending Hunger,” honoring the anti-hunger heroes who champion Free & Local and support our mission to end hunger.
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Fifteen years ago, Fue Xiong joined the Hunger Task Force FoodShare team to ensure low-income residents of Milwaukee understand how to apply for and maintain FoodShare benefits and connect them to other federal nutrition programs for which they may qualify.
“My favorite thing about my career has been that I am able to work with limited English proficiency clients to help them understand FoodShare and improve their access to healthy food,” said Xiong. “Growing up, my family relied on FoodShare, and my parents spoke very little English. In fact, English is my second language, and my first language is Hmong. This is a full circle moment for me and it’s really special to help families just like mine.”
Fue has worked in all three of Hunger Task Force’s Resource Centers and has enjoyed seeing the FoodShare program evolve. Today, at any given resource center, clients can find printed information about FoodShare and government programs in their native language to help break down the barrier to learning about and obtaining benefits. Additionally, Fue, alongside his talented team at Alicia’s Place FoodShare Resource Center, aid clients in a variety of languages including Hmong, Russian, Thai, Burmese and Lao.
“I never thought I could benefit the community so much” adds Xiong. “In my role as a FoodShare Supervisor I see just how much better you can serve your community when you speak their language.”
Fue, and his team, take pride in educating the many people who walk through the door about FoodShare so they can take matters into their own hands to keep their benefits and learn how to advocate for themselves.
“I hope the education doesn’t stop with me,” adds Xiong. “My goal is to teach clients about FoodShare and give them the information they need to not only sign up for themselves, but give friends, neighbors, family and coworkers information so they can also receive benefits if they qualify.”
Fue is proud to be a resident of Milwaukee’s North Side and strongly encourages his neighbors to stop by Alicia’s Place to learn more about FoodShare or receive a tour of the office! Join Hunger Task Force in our mission to ensure every person has a right to healthy food obtained with dignity.
Meet the 50 Faces of Ending Hunger!
Click below to discover real people making a difference in the fight against hunger – new faces added each month! As we journey through our 50th year, keep checking back to meet more incredible individuals making a difference.