Heidi Chada Is a Hunger Hero Working to Feed Low-Income Kids For 18 Summers and Counting
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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Hunger Task Force is proud to be an organizer of the Summer Food Service Program and connect thousands of children 18 and under with meals across the metro Milwaukee area. Hunger Task Force developed the “Milwaukee Model” – recognizing the many local partners committed to ensuring no child goes hungry when school is out for the summer. One of the partners is Centers for Independence where Heidi Chada serves as the Vice President of Employment and Commercial Services.
According to city of Milwaukee data, of those living in poverty in Milwaukee 25% are children. That’s why Hunger Task Force and Centers for Independence are committed to creating and maintaining access to free and healthy meals during the summer for all children throughout Milwaukee.
“One thing I’m most proud of is that every youth in Milwaukee can safely walk to a Summer Meals location and enjoy a healthy meal twice per day. Centers for Independence is proud to be a partner in making that possible,” says Heidi. “Without Hunger Task Force coordinating all the organizations and acquiring funding to pay for the meals that aren’t covered by the Department of Public Instruction, we wouldn’t have as healthy of a city as we do.”
Centers for Independence is proud to partner with Hunger Task Force to advance the health of people in our community. Centers for Independence staff are involved in the planning and execution of Summer Meals every year. Hunger Task Force works with Centers for Independence to ensure the program meets the organization’s operational model.
“We won’t serve the same menu every day because we believe in menu variety and we won’t serve fried foods,” adds Heidi. “We strongly believe a hot meal is a healthier option and more fun for kids.”
Heidi’s entire career has focused on having an opportunity to make a difference in her community. At Centers for Independence, Heidi and her nearly 800 colleagues find joy going to work every day because they understand the impact of their efforts and see how the fruits of their labor are improving Milwaukee.
“By ensuring kids have access to healthy food year-round, the Summer Food Service Program helps reinforce healthy eating habits that have a profound impact on child well-being,” adds Heidi. “Children who eat healthy have better physical health, improved brain function and are at a lower risk for chronic diseases as they age.”
If you are interested in joining Centers for Independence and providing meals as a Summer Meals site, please email [email protected].
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.