Meet Our Hunger Relief Federation Member Shalom Center

Hunger Task Force is the founding member of the Hunger Relief Federation, which is a statewide association of independent food banks and food pantries. Shalom Center, a member of the federation for a little over three years, strengthens the health and wellness of the Kenosha community by providing emergency food, shelter and support to meet immediate needs and help people maximize their potential for self-sufficiency.

Shalom Center’s soup kitchen is the longest running meal program in the community. Since it opened in 1982, it has provided hot meals every single day. In fact, more than 150 meals are served every day. What’s more, Shalom Center operates the largest emergency food pantry in Kenosha County. It served more than 11,750 households last year, which equates to nearly one million pounds of food distributed to families in need.

“With sky high food prices, we’re seeing a lot of first-time visitors who are in need of emergency food,” said Tamarra Coleman, Executive Director of Shalom Center. “People are looking for any way they can stretch their dollar and anywhere they can get support to help stretch their dollar.”

Shalom Center serves anyone in need in Kenosha County. Through the organization’s food pantry, individuals and families can order groceries online by selecting the items they wish to enjoy and the day and time they will pick them up. The ordering system helps ensure community members receive the right items for their diets and cultural and personal preferences.

To help increase the organization’s capacity to provide more high quality, healthy food, Shalom Center received a truck through an ARPA-DATCP grant in collaboration with Hunger Task Force last year. The new truck is used to pick up donated items from local food partners.

“Our partnership with the Hunger Task Force and the Hunger Relief Federation gives us invaluable access to the insights and experiences of leaders at other food banks and pantries across the state. Hearing about innovative programs that expand healthy food access statewide is truly inspiring. Together, we’re creating a stronger, more resilient network,” adds Coleman.

Shalom Center’s food pantry is open on Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 – 11:0 a.m. and the soup kitchen is open every day.

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.