Andrew Rossa and Milwaukee Recreation Have Teamed Up with Hunger Task Force to Provide Safe Summer Meals Sites for More than 10 Years
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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As an organizer of the Summer Food Service Program, Hunger Task Force connects thousands of children 18 and under with free meals all summer long across Milwaukee County. Many Summer Meals sites are located at Milwaukee Recreation playgrounds.
Andrew Rossa, Coordinator – Playgrounds & Community Centers for Milwaukee Recreation, has been a longtime supporter of the Summer Meals Program and has played a pivotal role in providing safe community spaces for children to eat and play.
“When I first came on board, the Summer Meals program consisted of cold lunches and dinners that were delivered to Milwaukee Recreation playground sites, stored in refrigerators and then distributed by our staff,” says Andrew. “Today, food trucks from Centers for Independence pull up at our sites and serve fresh and healthy meals to children throughout the city. This not only enables our staff to focus on supervising children, but it ensures a consistent mealtime the kids and their families can rely on.”
When Andrew took over the Summer Meals program 11 years ago, there were 32 locations throughout the city. After just three years, the footprint expanded, and all playground sites became meal sites.
“We know that parents are looking for the navy-blue staff shirt in June so their child or children can head outside to a safe space to eat, play and interact with neighbors and our team,” adds Andrew. “Whether it’s participating in arts and crafts, playing sports, or gathering to enjoy the splash pad, the activities we offer mean a lot to families.”
Nearly 3,000 kids visit Milwaukee Recreation playgrounds each summer. As a former physical education teacher, Andrew understands firsthand the importance of safe summer play for child development.
When asked about the relationship between Hunger Task Force and Milwaukee Recreation, Andrew noted that it’s been a great relationship and it’s all because Hunger Task Force saw a community need and gathered trusted partners to work together to address it.
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.