Matt King is Shaping the Next Chapter for Hunger Task Force

For Matt King, CEO of Hunger Task Force, serving the Milwaukee community has always been a part of his DNA. Raised in a family that emphasized the importance of helping neighbors in need, Matt developed a deep sense of responsibility to others from a young age.

“Milwaukee is a community that cares about each other,” he reflects. “When you have a neighbor in need, you help them.”

This guiding principle has not only shaped his values but also laid the groundwork for his successful and rewarding career.

Matt’s journey with Hunger Task Force began long before he became a leader within the organization. As a teenager in Milwaukee, he volunteered for local anti-hunger efforts including Hunger Task Force. This early dedication to service carried through his college years where he organized food drives and participated in a postgraduate fellowship with the Congressional Hunger Center in Washington, D.C.

As an Emerson Congressional Fellow, Matt developed hands-on experience in anti-hunger policy, programs and advocacy and focused on childhood hunger and school nutrition. Working for the Congressional Hunger Center, he returned to Milwaukee to expand access to the Summer Food Service Program at Hunger Task Force. After completing his fellowship, Matt was offered a position at the Oregon Food Bank through which he helped manage a statewide network of over 950 hunger relief programs.

Matt’s return to Milwaukee in 2012 marked a turning point for both him and Hunger Task Force. He was recruited him back to his hometown to serve as Farm Director and transform 200 acres of county land into a farm that provides free fresh produce for Milwaukee families and seniors in need. During his tenure, he raised funds and oversaw extensive renovations to the property while growing operations and initiating a new volunteer program. Through his hard work and dedication, Matt was instrumental in growing the Farm to produce more than half a million pounds of fruits and vegetables annually for the express purpose of feeding the hungry.

“I was really compelled by how innovative that model would be,” he reflects. “The opportunity to build something in the community I grew up in was motivating. The Farm has been a game-changer for access to healthy food in our community.”

Over the years, Matt’s leadership expanded to other areas of the organization. After being promoted to Associate Director, he navigated the immense challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and restructured Hunger Task Force’s operations to meet a surge in demand while managing the loss of its 16,000 annual volunteers.

In addition to managing crisis response, Matt played a key role in Hunger Task Force’s transition into a new headquarters. Drawing on his experience renovating the Farm’s facilities, he led efforts to develop a state-of-the-art warehouse that meets the organization’s growing needs. The $10.2 million project included a successful public capital campaign that he helped spearhead.

This breadth of experience made Matt the clear choice to succeed Hunger Task Force’s previous CEO, who retired in June 2024. As CEO, Matt oversees an organization that serves 50,000 individuals each month. He remains committed to advancing Hunger Task Force’s mission of providing healthy food with dignity and tackling the systemic causes of hunger all while sharpening our focus on our core values.

“The work we do isn’t just about food—it’s about preserving the dignity of our neighbors,” Matt says. “Until we end hunger and put ourselves out of business, Hunger Task Force will continue to serve this mission.”

For Matt, leading Hunger Task Force is both a privilege and a responsibility. “I’m honored to be entrusted as the chief steward of an organization that’s been a lifeline for so many,” he says. “Together, we can create a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

Meet the 50 Faces of Ending Hunger!

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