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Hunger Task Force News & Features
Toolkit Available! 2023-2024 NSBW School Breakfast Celebration
Wisconsin is celebrating School Breakfast this week and every week! School Breakfast is the most important school supply children can have access to! In this toolkit, we’ve gathered tools, templates, language and images that can be used in Wisconsin to celebrate School Breakfast during National School Breakfast Week (and any other time of the year.)
Alicia’s Place FoodShare Resource Center continues its community impact
About a quarter of a million people living in Milwaukee County rely on the FoodShare program and many people need help getting the access they need. Alicia’s Place FoodShare Resource Center has been a vital part of the community since 2021. Located at 4144 North 56th Street in Midtown Center, low-income families are welcome to get the help they need. It’s one of two FoodShare benefits outreach offices.
Jim Luther New Hope Center Food Pantry and Hunger Task Force Partner to Increase Access to Culturally Relevant Food in Milwaukee
Jim Luther New Hope Center Food Pantry, a member of Hunger Task Force’s pantry network, has experienced a nearly 50% increase in traffic since September 2023. To help the pantry properly serve Milwaukee residents in need, Hunger Task Force provides culturally relevant pantry staples which make up nearly one-third of the total food the pantry distributes monthly.
Buy-A-Bag Program Makes a Difference: Outpost Donates Over 80,000 Pounds of Non-Perishables and Produce
The Hunger Task Force is thrilled to announce a recent generous donation from Outpost Natural Foods Co-op through their Buy-A-Bag program! This incredible contribution of over 80,000 pounds of food will help nourish countless families facing hunger in our community.
For low-income seniors, getting healthy food is a challenge. Hunger Task Force uses DoorDash to help.
Monthly Stockboxes from Hunger Task Force fill a crucial gap in nutrition for local seniors. Nearly 11,000 people in the Milwaukee area receive a monthly Stockbox. Those who don’t get the boxes from a DoorDash driver pick them up at senior dining sites or at subsidized senior living facilities.
Through Valery Buechner Hunger Task Force Became a TEFAP Administrator
Hunger Task Force is the long-standing, trusted administrator of the USDA commodity foods program – The Emergency Food Assistance Program. In 1998 Valery Buechner held a pivotal role in Wisconsin as the administrator of this program.
Unlocking Resources, Preserving Dignity: The Crucial Role of Pantry Intake Conversations
Pantry intake interviews, though potentially uncomfortable, are crucial for understanding client needs and connecting them with vital resources like FoodShare and WIC. Effective intake practices not only alleviate immediate hunger but also empower clients and strengthen pantries in the long run.
Guy Smith is Helping Plant Seeds of Change: Hunger Task Force and Milwaukee County Park’s Win-Win Partnership
Guy Smith has been a driving force in cultivating a healthier, more equitable Milwaukee by directly addressing food insecurity, promoting environmental stewardship and fostering vibrant community centers through parks. His leadership played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between Hunger Task Force’s vision and Milwaukee County’s resources.
Partner of the Month: Richards Elementary School | February 2024
We are deeply grateful for Richards Elementary’s unwavering partnership. This February, we’re spotlighting Richards Elementary, our Partner of the Month! They ignite a passion for service in the next generation. Through their food drives, they’ve collected a remarkable 2,300 pounds of healthy food and over $12,000 since 2022.
Use Your Voice! Ensure WIC Stays Strong for Milwaukee Families
The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program that provides special supplemental nutrition for mothers, infants and families is in jeopardy of not being fully funded for 2024.
Gus Gnorski’s Enduring Impact: A Veteran Reporter’s Legacy Covering Hunger Task Force from Newsrooms to Neighborhoods
In the vibrant landscape of Milwaukee media, August “Gus” Gnorski carved out a distinguished career as a community reporter, leaving an indelible mark during his four decades in the industry. Over 22 years at TMJ4 and an additional 18 at FOX 6, Gus not only reported on local stories but also emerged as a passionate advocate for ending hunger in the community.
Hunger Task Force 2023 Annual Report now available online
Explore this convenient, digital version of the Hunger Task Force 2023 Annual Report! Hunger Task Force is on a mission. We feed people today and we end hunger tomorrow. Learn more about our work last year, our ongoing programs and some of the biggest wins from 2023 in our Annual Report!
Hunger Task Force, Kohl’s Hold Cooking Class to Celebrate the Organization’s $1.5 Million Donation
Kohl’s made a $1.5 million commitment to us over two years to support the purchase and distribution of healthy foods – in compliance with the USDA’s MyPlate Plan – at our partner network across the greater Milwaukee area in addition to providing kids with healthy options through the Summer Meals program.
Meet the new faces of Hunger Task Force
The principal strength of Hunger Task Force is its compassionate and committed staff. Hunger Task Force is proud to announce the addition of three new faces to our Advocacy, Operations and Administration teams. We are thrilled to welcome Tosha, Jess and Tylene to their new roles at Hunger Task Force.
From Pallet to Pantry: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Healthy Food Procurement
As the Food Procurement Manager at Hunger Task Force, Kyle develops and leads a strategic approach to the agency’s food procurement, assuring an array of healthy foods are offered to our network of food pantries, meal sites and homeless shelters.
Hunger Task Force Farm – Small Acres, Big Productivity
Pam Jahnke visits with Sarah Bressler, Farm Manager for the Hunger Task Force’s 208 acre property in Franklin, WI. It’s land leased for 30 years in partnership with Milwaukee County. Bressler said they produced a record 411,000 pounds of fresh vegetables and produce they’ll distribute to food pantries.
Volunteer of the Month: Cathie & Dennis Slater | February 2024
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.
Meet the new faces of Hunger Task Force
The principal strength of Hunger Task Force is its compassionate and committed staff. Hunger Task Force is proud to announce the addition of three new faces to our Administration, Communications and Advocacy teams. We are thrilled to welcome Dishu, Kate and Reno to their new roles at Hunger Task Force.
WISN 12 Features the Importance of Volunteering at Hunger Task Force
WISN 12 is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a promise of more service to the community. We’re expanding our commitment to the Hunger Task Force, and each month, we’ll focus on a need and a call to action. In January, the spotlight is on volunteering. It’s the engine of the Hunger Task Force, and they say the time is now to join in their quest to keep Milwaukee’s most vulnerable people fed.
Two food organizations team up to provide ‘Stockboxes’ for seniors
The term “no one should go to bed hungry” is a statement that the Hunger Task Force and The Neighbors’ Place have taken seriously. The two organizations began their ‘Stockbox’ program as a way to ensure that low-income seniors receive healthy food every month.
Michael Zeka Has Proudly Served as the President of the Hunger Task Force Board of Directors For 16 Years
For more than 30% of the time Hunger Task Force has been feeding hungry children, families and seniors, Michael Zeka has served as the president and chairman of the Hunger Task Force Board of Directors. Michael takes pride in the fact that serving on the Hunger Task Force Board of Directors is more than a line on a resume. The board is hands on and provides operational support and serves as a sounding board for leaders within the organization.
The Neighbors’ Place: Hunger Relief Federation Partner Nourishing Our Central Wisconsin Neighbors
The Neighbors’ Place is the largest food pantry in Marathon County, serving over 3,200 families. They provide food with dignity through their innovative Market, a choice pantry that allows guests to select nutritious groceries based on their needs.
Hunger Task Force CEO Sherrie Tussler to Retire After 26 Years of Service
Hunger Task Force, Milwaukee’s only Free & Local food bank, announces that after 26 years of service CEO Sherrie Tussler will retire in June. Following her retirement, she will step into a part-time role as CEO Emeritus to provide strategic guidance to the organization on an as-needed basis for up to one year.
Rick Lewandowski Has Been Feeding Hungry Seniors for Nearly 20 Years
In 2004, Rick Lewandowski walked through the doors of Hunger Task Force eager to make a difference in his hometown by ensuring hungry seniors received Stockboxes – a box of supplementary food to low-income seniors – every month. Little did he know, nearly 20 years later, he’d still be working every day to improve the lives of Milwaukee’s vulnerable seniors as the organization’s first Senior Services Director.
Partner of the Month: Lamplight Farms | January 2024
Lamplight Farms isn’t just about lighting up your backyard, they’re also dedicated to illuminating the lives of others. As a proud supporter of Hunger Task Force, they contribute both volunteers and financial resources to help fight hunger in their community.
Closing the Hunger Gap: Norm Monsen Connects Wisconsin Farms to Vulnerable Communities through Dairy Recovery Program
Norm Monsen, Dairy Economic Development Consultant at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), is a champion for Wisconsin’s dairy industry and was a critical partner to Hunger Task Force during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cultural Foods Coordinator Keeps Pantry Shelves Stocked with Staples for All
When clients walk through the aisles of an emergency food pantry within the Hunger Task Force network, they have a variety of healthy items at their fingertips to bring home to cook healthy, cultural recipes. Pasua Chang, our Cultural Foods Coordinator, is dedicated to bridging the gap between stocking food pantry shelves with healthy food and healthy, cultural food – people crave.
Nominations Open! 2024 School Breakfast Champion
Hunger Task Force, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, School Nutrition Association of Wisconsin and No Kid Hungry Wisconsin are partnering this year to collect stories of Breakfast Champions across the state of Wisconsin to celebrate those who are doing all they can to make sure students have healthy meals throughout the day. A champion is anyone who takes action to improve school meals programs and helps kids get the nutrition they need to fuel their learning.
Replacement for FoodShare Benefits
Current FoodShare members who lose food purchased with FoodShare benefits due to a flood, a fire, or other household misfortune – including loss of power – can request the replacement benefits from the State.
WISN 12 Celebrates 70th Anniversary with ’70 Years of Service’ Campaign to Help End Hunger
WISN 12 is honoring its 70th anniversary by launching the ‘70 Years of Service’ campaign, in partnership with Hunger Task Force. Throughout 2024, WISN 12 will highlight a different hunger-related need each month, with a call-to-action to address that need.
Food For Families 2023: Wrapping Up Another Holiday Season of Ending Hunger in Milwaukee
Led by Johnson Controls’ generous sponsorship for the past 18 years, the 2023 Food For Families campaign provided a crucial safety net of healthy emergency food to thousands of local families, children and seniors.
Urgent Action Needed: Ensure WIC Stays Strong for Every Family!
The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program that provides special supplemental nutrition for mothers, infants and families is in jeopardy of not being fully funded for 2024.
Hunger Task Force distributes Stockboxes to seniors despite winter weather
The snow didn’t stop Hunger Task Force from helping out local seniors this winter. Every month, the Hunger Task Force gives out Stockboxes to provide extra help to those 60 and older.
Winter at The Farm: A Season of Planning and Preparation
As the winter cold envelops the Hunger Task Force Farm, the farm’s essential work continues undeterred in the chilly Wisconsin climate. Behind the scenes, there’s a flurry of activity and thoughtful planning that keeps the farm in full swing, even when the fields lie dormant.
Triple Impact: Hunger Task Force Volunteers Donate Time, Food and Funds for Holiday Food Drive
In our first-ever Volunteer Food Drive, held alongside the crucial Food For Families campaign, volunteers stepped up in a remarkable way by donating both food and money – alongside their usual service –to support Milwaukee families facing hunger.