Wrapping Up the 2024 Hunger Relief Federation Summit
The 2024 Hunger Relief Federation Summit held October 3- 4 in Stevens Point, WI brought together over 100 food security advocates, pantry leaders and anti-hunger experts from 29 counties across Wisconsin. This year’s summit was particularly special since it marked the first in-person gathering of the Hunger Relief Federation since the pandemic began. It created an opportunity for attendees to make connections and brainstorm solutions to address hunger in their communities. Special guests included speakers from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).
“The Hunger Relief Federation Summit was a long-awaited opportunity for members across the state to come together, share experiences, and reconnect. Attendees heard from 27 expert panelists and presenters, making it a truly impactful event,” said Brandon Savage, Hunger Relief Federation Manager. “For many organizations that often feel isolated in their work, this summit reinforced that they have a network of like-minded partners across the state, ready to offer support and share solutions.”
A Network of Support
One key takeaway from the summit was the strength of the Hunger Relief Federation as a network of support and resource sharing.
“The Hunger Relief Federation has been an incredibly valuable network since its beginning, but especially in the last few years since coming out of the pandemic,” says Michael Egly, Director of Program Services at The FOOD Pantry Serving Waukesha County. “Each food pantry addresses the issue of hunger in a unique way that fits their community, so we all have something to learn and share with each other.”
The gathering provided a much-needed chance for organizations to come together in person to discuss approaches to ending hunger. The exchange of ideas not only fosters innovation but also encourages adaptability among organizations striving to meet the diverse needs of their areas. Attendees left the summit feeling inspired to enhance their missions and better serve their communities.
Learning and Collaboration
The Hunger Relief Federation Summit featured engaging presentations, keynote speakers and panel discussions covering a range of topics relevant to food assistance including nutrition policy, effective fundraising and sustainable food sourcing.
“The presentations and panel discussions were extremely helpful, and I appreciate the opportunity to ask questions of folks doing the work,” said Kate Passineau from The Neighbors’ Place in Wausau. “Hands down, one of the best professional development opportunities I’ve had!”
Attendees were encouraged to reach out to one another for support and share resources. This approach fosters a sense of community among organizations and helps solve problems collectively.
Empowering Organizations
Networking was a key theme of the summit with chances for attendees to forge new connections and deepen existing ones. Many participants remarked on the value of meeting fellow advocates and sharing insights in a supportive environment.
“I appreciated learning about effective operational strategies from other food pantries and food banks,” says Selena Darrow, Executive Director of Rooted In, Inc.
Exchanging ideas and best practices throughout the event empowered organizations to strengthen their operations to better serve the most vulnerable populations by improving processes and refining outreach strategies.
Commitment to Shared Goals
The summit was not just a conference. It was a reminder that organizations across Wisconsin are united in their goal to ensure everyone has access to nutritious, culturally appropriate food. As the summit concluded, participants left with a renewed commitment to end hunger in their communities.
“We are incredibly thankful to all our presenters and panelists for joining us in crafting and delivering a program that had a profound impact among our members,” said Mark Lisowski, Hunger Relief Federation Organizer.
As participants reflected on their experiences, they recognized that by supporting one another they can better serve their communities and protect the most vulnerable. The insights gained and relationships formed during this event will continue to strengthen the fight against hunger across Wisconsin.
Hunger Task Force is Milwaukee’s Free & Local food bank and Wisconsin’s anti-hunger leader. The organization’s core values are Dignity, Justice, Equity, Compassion and Stewardship. Hunger Task Force feeds people today by providing healthy and culturally appropriate food to hungry children, families and seniors in the community absolutely free of charge. Hunger Task Force also works to end future hunger by advocating for strong public policies and nutrition programs at the local, state and federal level.