Josh and Julia Gimbel Are Building a Legacy of Giving Back at the Hunger Task Force Farm
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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Proud parents Josh and Julia Gimbel started a longstanding tradition of giving back to Hunger Task Force when helping their son Elijah plan his mitzvah project nearly 15 years ago. Having learned about the Hunger Task Force Farm, the family chose to plant 12 apples trees on the Farm to ensure children, families and seniors in need have access to fresh fruit free of charge through the food pantries, shelters and meal programs in the Hunger Task Force network.
“Hunger Task Force always resonated with us because of the mission to feed the hungry and because the organization ensures people most in need get access to fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Josh Gimbel. “So, we put together a group of nearly 20 friends and family members to plant 12 apple trees. Since then, we gather folks for a Gimbel day at The Farm every fall. Over the years, we have picked corn, greens, cucumbers and melons in addition to harvesting apples from Elijah’s original trees.”
“We also love volunteering at the Farm because it’s a family-friendly activity,” adds Julia Gimbel. “The kids have fun and learn how what they’re doing is helping others. We hope the enriching experience plants a seed with them to continue giving back to the community.”
Josh and Julia’s support of Hunger Task Force is further amplified through the Gene and Ruth Posner Foundation, which was founded by Josh’s grandparents. Through a generous donation from the foundation, Hunger Task Force received Hoop Houses to extend the growing season to provide more fresh produce to feed people in need throughout Milwaukee County.
“At the Hunger Task Force Farm, you really see the fruits of your labor,” adds Julia. “After every Gimbel harvest day on The Farm, the Hunger Task Force team tells us how many pounds of food we will be providing to families and individuals in need within days of our efforts.”
The Hunger Task Force Farm is a unique source of fresh produce that acts as a lifeline for the community. During the growing seasons, it harvests over half a million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to ensure a well-rounded selection of nutritious and culturally familiar food for children, families and seniors in need thanks to the support of nearly 6,000 community volunteers including the Gimbel family and friends.
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.