Brenna Holly and the team at Johnson Controls Are Key to Combatting Food Insecurity
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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Brenna Holly, the senior director of corporate philanthropy at Johnson Controls, is a true hunger hero. Upon joining the organization in 2022, she began overseeing key fundraising initiatives that directly support Hunger Task Force. Since she joined the team, the Johnson Controls Foundation, Johnson Controls and its employees have collectively donated nearly $250,000 to combat food insecurity in Milwaukee. In addition, Johnson Controls employees have volunteered over 1,300 hours at Hunger Task Force these last two years.
This past season, Johnson Controls selected Hunger Task Force to be the beneficiary of the Free Throws for Charity campaign. Johnson Controls generously donated $5 for every free throw Marquette University men’s and women’s basketball teams made during the 2023-24 season, and, as a result, Hunger Task Force received $3,215 to support our impactful programs.
“I really see food insecurity and having access to healthy, nutritious food as a basic need and human right,” says Brenna. “What makes Hunger Task Force a top organization to support is the focus on nutrition education for our community at large. A bonus is Hunger Task Force offers a meaningful and educational volunteer experience where our employees can directly help support the mission.”
Johnson Controls will enter its 19th season of giving. According to Brenna, Johnson Controls’ areas of philanthropic focus have evolved, but food insecurity has always been an issue the team is passionate about and committed to addressing. Food For Families is Milwaukee’s most storied tradition of giving, which feeds thousands of families during the holiday season through virtual and in-person food drives.
Like dozens of organizations that take part in Food For Families every year, Brenna and the team at Johnson Controls support Hunger Task Force through an annual employee food drive, with a virtual food drive component, held on the organization’s Milwaukee campus. Since its inception, the organization has donated nearly 1.4 million lbs. of nutritious food for children, families and seniors in need.
New this year, Johnson Controls hosted a Global Volunteer Month in June during which 80 employees volunteered on the Hunger Task Force Farm or in the Volunteer Center building Stockboxes for low-income seniors. “Building Stockboxes is always a really rewarding experience” says Brenna. “Not only is it a good team building opportunity, but it’s also impactful to know what a difference you are making in the lives of people in our community.”
It’s important to note that Johnson Controls makes a donation on behalf of each employee who volunteers to eligible nonprofit organizations including Hunger Task Force.
With a keen understanding of the impact nutrition has on a person’s health and wellness, Brenna and the Johnson Controls team are dedicated to fighting food insecurity – a cause she has been supportive of throughout her career.
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.