Food Bank

Hunger Task Force is a nonprofit organization with a mission to end hunger. In 1974, we were founded to promote socially sound policies that could end hunger in our community.

In 1977, we responded to community need by opening a food bank to distribute free food to local charities that feed the hungry. Our food bank organizes wide-scale food drives in the community to collect food. This donated food is then sorted, allocated and delivered to qualified local charities that feed the hungry.

During the months of November, December and January, Hunger Task Force received 61,000 pounds of fresh apples donated by two local orchards. Fresh apples were able to be included in both the 700 dinner bins assembled for Thanksgiving and the 500 dinner bins assembled for Christmas. The assortment of apple varieties donated was a real plus for pantry clients.

“The Hunger Task Force truck arrived with our delivery. The driver asked if we could use some apples. I told him that we would take every apple that he could give us! Bags and bags of wonderful fresh fruit came down our conveyor! Apples from heaven!! What an extraordinary treat for everyone--in January--in Wisconsin. The conversation for the day was apple cobbler, apple crunch, apple pie. Happy people left our Pantry.”
Janet Frey, Pantry Coordinator, Holy Assumption Pantry

Hunger Task Force supports the work of local homeless shelters, meal programs and food pantries that share our vision for ending hunger. These direct-service charities make up a network that helps assure reasonable access to healthy and nutritious food for Milwaukee’s needy and makes it possible for a needy family to get help - on the day that they need it - in a neighborhood near their home.

Hunger Task Force is unique in its role as a food bank in never charging fees to charities for receiving, storing or delivering food. We strive to assure access to emergency food supplies while limiting ongoing reliance upon charity for food.

MILWAUKEE COUNTY HAS BEEN AWARDED FEDERAL FUNDS UNDER THE EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER NATIONAL BOARD PROGRAM.

The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local organizations chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary nonprofits or units of government, 2) have an accounting system, 3) practice nondiscrimination, 4) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 5) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying organizations are urged to apply.

Public or private voluntary organizations interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Julie Rothwell of United Way of Greater Milwaukee at 414-263-8127 for more information on how to apply. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 5, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.