Hunger Task Force and Autumn West Safe Haven Work Together to Feed Milwaukee’s Most Vulnerable Unhoused Community Members

Hunger Task Force and Autumn West Safe Haven have been working together to combat food insecurity for those who are unhoused and living with a mental illness by providing healthy meals daily in a stable, transitional living environment.

Autumn West Safe Haven, a low-barrier housing refuge, serves up to 20 individuals at one time through its 20-unit apartment complex in the heart of Milwaukee. In 2023, 36 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and mental illness received stable shelter, three meals per day and supportive services through Autumn West Safe Haven while working to secure permanent housing.

“It’s really intended to be a low-barrier alternative to emergency shelters,” said Matt Raymond, director of the Supportive Housing Program for Community Advocates.

On the first floor, there is a kitchen in which staff prepare a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner each day for residents at no cost, which is made possible by the volume of food received from Hunger Task Force.

“I think the partnership with Hunger Task Force and the ability to provide a free meal service onsite makes our facility a warmer and more engaging living environment,” adds Matt. “Because of our collaboration with Hunger Task Force, we can also prepare a hot and healthy meal for residents enrolling in our programming directly upon arrival outside of the scheduled meal service.”

At Autumn West Safe Haven, meal programming is all about community building. The shared eating area is designed for residents to engage and nourish, which is important for healing and ultimately transitioning into permanent housing.

Autumn West Safe Haven serves individuals 18 and older. Recently, nearly 35% of residents completing intake paperwork were ages 55 and older, which demonstrates the growing need to help aging seniors.

Hunger Task Force is the only food bank in Milwaukee that does not charge for food, delivery or network membership and works diligently to ensure seniors, children and families can receive emergency food with dignity, on the day they need it and in the neighborhood they live in.

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.