Hunger Task Force and Siggenaek Center Food Pantry Work Together to Feed Hungry Families in the Historic Mitchell Street Neighborhood

For 28 years, Hunger Task Force and Siggenauk Center Food Pantry have been working together to combat food insecurity in the Historic Mitchell Street neighborhood. Over the last year, the food pantry has served more than 8,500 people and provided an average of nearly 250 lbs. of food per person to keep residents in the community nourished.

“We serve anybody who walks in the door who needs food assistance, but the majority of our clients are Hispanic and Native American,” shares Sally “Sam” LaFountain, Director of Siggenauk Center Food Pantry.

Dee Loomis, who serves as the assistant director of the pantry, started as a volunteer nearly 25 years ago after a call was put out for volunteers. Her adopted daughter is part Native American, and she wanted to keep her daughter knowledgeable about Native American traditions and community happenings. When Dee first started volunteering nearly every client served was Native American.

Siggenauk Center Food Pantry is open on Thursdays from 1 – 3 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. – noon. The food pantry provides quality, culturally relevant food items to households experiencing food insecurity. Those who need food assistance in the 53204 Zip Code can visit the pantry once per month to receive healthy foods to supplement their in-home supply.

“We’ve got people who come over and give us hugs because they’re so thankful for whatever they can get from us. That really keeps us going,” adds Sam.

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 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.