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RECENT NEWS
Hunger Task Force News & Features
Food Is A Human Right, But Too Many In My Community Are Struggling To Buy Food
With food and other prices rising at a rate our country has not seen since the 1970s, it is getting more difficult to “make a way.” In Milwaukee, Hunger is a major issue. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2021, the City of Milwaukee had a poverty rate of 24.6%, ranking it one of the top 50 U.S. cities with people living below the poverty line.
Hunger Task Force Kicks Off Annual Food For Families Holiday Drive
This fall, local families will need the community’s support like never before. With rising food and gas prices, Milwaukee pantry traffic has steadily increased throughout the year to over 31,000 people each month. Hunger Task Force and Johnson Controls are calling on all local businesses, large and small, worship groups, book clubs, neighbors, friends and family to join in on Milwaukee’s tradition of generosity and participate in this year’s Food for Families campaign.
Local Pantry Partner Reflects on Return to Indoor Service
Cheryl Ousley, Site Manager at Friedens Food Pantries is intentional about treating each guest with dignity. Recently, Friedens’ pantry at Hope House of Milwaukee has returned to indoor service and provides the choice model to guests – allowing families who visit the pantry to select foods that are familiar and enjoyed just as they would shop in a grocery store.
Volunteer of the Month: Larry Halter | October 2022
Each month Hunger Task Force is honored to recognize an individual or group who go above and beyond in their service to the organization. From food sorting and building healthy food boxes for seniors to helping individuals shop the Mobile Market and harvesting at The Farm, volunteers help Hunger Task Force feed people today and support our work in ending future hunger.
Hunger Task Force Fall 2022 Newsletter now available online
Explore this convenient, digital version of the Hunger Task Force Fall 2022 Newsletter! Read about Hunger Task Force’s efforts to connect eligible families to FoodShare through the Food Is a Human Right campaign, the 20th anniversary milestone of Touchdowns For Hunger, ways to give back this holiday season through Food For Families and much more!
203,752 Summertime Meals Served to Local Kids in 2022
Summertime is a peak season for childhood hunger as students go without meals they would normally receive at school. To combat summer hunger, the federal Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides nutritious meals to children aged 18 or younger during the summer months. Hunger Task Force administers the SFSP in such a large and inclusive way that it’s often dubbed the “Milwaukee Model.”
Hunger Task Force Invited to Speak at White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health
Hunger Task Force’s executive director, Sherrie Tussler, will speak on a panel during the Biden-Harris Administration’s White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. The Conference will be held in Washington, D.C. and is part of the Administration’s National Strategy that identifies steps the government will take and catalyzes the public and private sectors to address the intersections between food, hunger, nutrition, and health.
Fall 2022 Nutrition Education Quarterly available online
Hunger Task Force doesn’t just feed people in our community – we help along their health journeys, too. Hunger Task Force offers a robust Nutrition Education Program committed to providing useful tools to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Check out the Fall 2022 edition of our Nutrition Education Quarterly. Explore this seasonal publication for helpful tips on healthy eating, cooking skills, budget-friendly shopping and ways to fit physical activity in your day.
Hunger Task Force Welcomes USDA Deputy Under Secretary
Hunger Task Force hosted the United States Department of Agriculture’s Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean during her two-day visit to Milwaukee on September 12 and 13. During her visit, Deputy Under Secretary Dean toured key Hunger Task Force locations and got a first-hand look USDA-supported Hunger Task Force programs and participated in our senior Stockbox distribution.
Milwaukee Bucks All Star Khris Middleton Tours Hunger Task Force Following Large Food Donation
Milwaukee Bucks All Star forward Khris Middleton and his family foundation toured Hunger Task Force’s new food bank following a large food donation made after the Bucks 2022 playoff run. During the 2022 NBA playoffs, Middleton and his family foundation partnered with Goodles, a California-based company producing high-protein mac & cheese, to direct food donations to organizations fighting hunger.
Volunteer of the Month: Northwestern Mutual | September 2022
Each month Hunger Task Force is honored to recognize an individual or group who go above and beyond in their service to the organization. From food sorting and building healthy food boxes for seniors to helping individuals shop the Mobile Market and harvesting at The Farm, volunteers help Hunger Task Force feed people today and support our work in ending future hunger.
Hunger Task Force launches “Food is a Human Right” campaign with mailing to 22,000 Milwaukee County residents
“Food is a Human Right” is an educational campaign aimed at acknowledging that all people should have access to enough food to be healthy. FoodShare is an entitlement program funded 100% by the USDA and provides federal aid to people who have low income and difficulty affording food. Applying for FoodShare has become easier and Hunger Task Force has mailed 22,000 first-class letters to the older adults that can use this federal help.
Meet the new faces of Hunger Task Force
The principal strength of Hunger Task Force is its compassionate and committed staff. This month, Hunger Task Force is proud to announce the addition of three new faces to our Advocacy and Administration teams. We are thrilled to welcome Chelvast, Joe and Qadir.
Artists Wanted! Seeking submissions for 2022 Holiday Card program
The Hunger Task Force annual Holiday Card program is a festive tradition – every card sent and received helps put food on the table for local families, children and seniors. Hunger Task Force is looking for creative, festive, secular designs that focus on togetherness, connectivity and winter traditions.
Volunteer of the Month: Dale Lenderts | August 2022
Each month Hunger Task Force is honored to recognize an individual or group who go above and beyond in their service to the organization. From food sorting and building healthy food boxes for seniors to helping individuals shop the Mobile Market and harvesting at The Farm, volunteers help Hunger Task Force feed people today and support our work in ending future hunger.
Summer 2022 Nutrition Education Quarterly available online
Hunger Task Force doesn’t just feed people in our community – we help along their health journeys, too. Hunger Task Force offers a robust Nutrition Education Program committed to providing useful tools to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Check out the Summer 2022 edition of our Nutrition Education Quarterly. Explore this seasonal publication for helpful tips on healthy eating, cooking skills, budget-friendly shopping and ways to fit physical activity in your day.
Hunger Task Force Summer 2022 Newsletter now available online
Explore this convenient, digital version of the Hunger Task Force Summer 2022 Newsletter! Read about the planting and harvesting of culturally appropriate foods at The Farm, the expansion of the Badger Box program, Summer Meals options for local kids and much more.
Meet Up and Eat Up Milwaukee! Summer Meals Program provides three daily meals to kids, teens and families
All summer long, kids and teens (18 and under) are invited to “Meet up And Eat Up” at more than 115 meal sites throughout Milwaukee County. With the support and collaboration of several community organizations, Hunger Task Force celebrated the kickoff of the Milwaukee Summer Meals Program at Southgate Playfield.
Milwaukee Summer Festival Season is BACK!
Check out these great admission promotions and join in on summer fun while supporting hungry families in our community. Save the date and join Hunger Task Force at summer festivals and fairs this summer.
Outpost Natural Foods and Hunger Task Force Launch Produce to the People Discount Program for Wisconsin FoodShare Participants
Hunger Task Force and Outpost Natural Foods partner to launch ‘Produce to the People’ discount for FoodShare participants. Program provides 50% savings on fresh produce to shoppers when using FoodShare.
What’s Buzzing at The Farm?
At the Hunger Task Force Farm, honeybees gather nectar and pollen and build comb at eight beehive apiaries! Our bees pollinate not only our native perennials, but our many fruits and vegetables – making it possible to provide fresh produce to seniors, children and families. Honey is just a sweet bonus 🐝
Meet the new faces of Hunger Task Force
The principal strength of Hunger Task Force is its compassionate and committed staff. This month, Hunger Task Force is proud to announce the addition of three new faces to our Advocacy team. We are thrilled to welcome T.R., Tammy and Carlos.
Baird continues tradition of service during annual Baird Gives Back Week
This year, nearly 100 Baird volunteers assisted Hunger Task Force during Baird Gives Back Week. Employees donning their signature blue tees volunteers in teams at the Hunger Task Force Farm and Volunteer Action Center.
Pantry returns to indoor service, allowing clients to select their own food with dignity
In addition to returning to indoor service, One God Ministry embraced food choice – a service model they had initiated before the pandemic. The choice-model allows pantry guests to select culturally appropriate foods, meet individual health and dietary needs and select foods that are familiar and enjoyed just as they would in a grocery store.
Stockbox DoorDash program celebrates 10,000th delivery
Since July 2021, Hunger Task Force has partnered with DoorDash and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County to provide nutritious food to seniors living in Milwaukee and Waukesha County through the Stockbox DoorDash program. The Stockbox is a free, monthly box of food for income-eligible seniors age 60+.
Meet the new faces of Hunger Task Force
The principal strength of Hunger Task Force is its compassionate and committed staff. This month, Hunger Task Force is proud to announce the addition of three new faces to our Operations, Warehouse and Administration teams. We are thrilled to welcome Lisa, Roual and Nick to Hunger Task Force.
Stamp Out Hunger returns with online option to support letter carriers’ drive for 2022
After being cancelled the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the nation’s largest single-day food drive returned this month. The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Stamp Out Hunger campaign, ordinarily the second Saturday in May, is happening right now – virtually! Founded in the mid-1990s by the NALC, Stamp Out Hunger was created in response to the poverty letter carriers saw each day through their service routes.
Hunger Task Force celebrates another season of Block Out Hunger with Cousins Subs and the Bucks
For the seventh consecutive season, Cousins Subs and the Milwaukee Bucks teamed up to fight hunger across the state of Wisconsin through the Block Out Hunger campaign. For every shot blocked by the Bucks during the 2021-22 regular season, Cousins Subs donated $50 to Hunger Task Force. As a result of the Milwaukee Bucks blocking 326 shots, Cousin Subs donated $16,300 to provide nutritious foods, including milk, to the nearly 50,000 Milwaukee residents served each month by Hunger Task Force.
Meet the new faces of Hunger Task Force
The principal strength of Hunger Task Force is its compassionate and committed staff. This month, Hunger Task Force is proud to announce the addition of three new faces to our Food, Farm and Development teams. We are thrilled to welcome Afi, Chris and Shahree to Hunger Task Force.
Spring 2022 Nutrition Education Quarterly available online
Hunger Task Force doesn’t just feed people in our community – we help along their health journeys, too. Hunger Task Force offers a robust Nutrition Education Program committed to providing useful tools to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Check out the Spring 2022 edition of our Nutrition Education Quarterly. Explore this seasonal publication for helpful tips on healthy eating, cooking skills, budget-friendly shopping and ways to fit physical activity in your day.
Hunger Task Force Spring 2022 Newsletter now available online
Explore this convenient, digital version of the Hunger Task Force Spring 2022 Newsletter! Read about the exciting move to our new West Milwaukee headquarters, Harley-Davidson’s renewed commitment to The Farm, Hunger Task Force’s growing FoodShare outreach efforts, the launch of the Badger Box and more!
Palermo’s Pizza and Hunger Task Force Host “Easter Baskets for the Hungry”
Palermo’s Pizza again partnered with Hunger Task Force for the annual Easter Baskets for the Hungry program. Hunger Task Force worked with its local pantry network to identify 500 families in need who will be recipients of the Easter Boxes and coordinated a drive-thru distribution at the new West Milwaukee headquarters.
Hunger Task Force launches “Badger Box” featuring Wisconsin-made foods
Hunger Task Force has been chosen to administer $15 million in federal grant funds to build a stronger, hunger-free Wisconsin. These funds will be used to create, fill and distribute a food box called the Badger Box containing dairy products, cheeses, meats, fruits and grains purchased from Wisconsin farmers and food producers. Over 18,000 Badger Boxes will be distributed monthly through December across the state of Wisconsin.
Hunger Task Force and Kohl’s Team Up for First-Ever “Combo Build”
Kohl’s Department Stores and Hunger Task Force have a longstanding partnership. Today, a team of 50+ volunteers from Kohl’s participated the first-ever Stockbox/Food Sort “Combo Build” at the food bank’s massive new Volunteer Action Center. Over the course of an afternoon, Kohl’s volunteers simultaneously built over 500 Stockboxes and sorted over 20,000 pounds of food.
Winter 2022 Nutrition Education Quarterly available online
Hunger Task Force doesn’t just feed people in our community – we help along their health journeys, too. Hunger Task Force offers a robust Nutrition Education Program committed to providing useful tools to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Check out the Winter 2022 edition of our Nutrition Education Quarterly – prepared in English, Spanish and Hmong. Explore this seasonal publication for helpful tips on healthy eating, cooking skills, budget-friendly shopping and ways to fit physical activity in you day.