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.

A visit to the apiary has proven that our honeybees successfully braved the winter. There’s already buzzing heard around the farm, prompted by the early warm weather.  The honeybees have the right idea – it’s been a long winter! This year, we plan is to increase our total number of hives from six to nineteen.

In anticipation of a fruitful harvest this year, the Farm Staff is starting vegetable seedlings as early as possible in the greenhouse. Since Wisconsin’s growing season is fairly short, a head start is vital for the optimal production of many vegetables. The first seeds to be sown will be onions, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.

Winter pruning of the apple trees is still underway as well. Pruning is required every winter, while the trees are dormant. Besides removing any dead or weak limbs, selective pruning maximizes orchard production by opening up the crowns of trees to allow sunlight to reach every branch.

Read more about the farm.

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.

As a directed by a local board facilitated by the United Way, Hunger Task Force (HTF) oversees distribution of federal grant dollars in Milwaukee County to be used for qualifying food purchases by emergency food providers, such food pantries and meals sites. This year a total of $303,962.00 has been awarded to Milwaukee County through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). Fifty percent of these funds will be awarded to qualifying pantries and meal sites while the other fifty percent will be awarded to qualifying local homeless shelters for housing expenditures. Locally, Community Advocates facilitates the distribution of the dollars allotted to shelters.

The ESFP allows pantries to obtain produce, dairy items and meat as well as culturally appropriate foods in fresh, frozen or canned form (See list of qualifying foods). Meal sites do not purchase food directly with EFSP funds but rather submit monthly invoices to HTF for reimbursement of $1 for each meal served by the meal site. Minor equipment purchases or equipment repairs costing less than $300.00 are also allowable expenditures for this program.

The application process is thorough with consideration given to the applicant’s capacity, commitment to hunger relief and Innovation & collaboration. For the review process to be impartial, independent reviewers knowledgeable of the operations and services of emergency food providers are selected from the local community. Applications are evaluated and rated and the ratings, in addition to the total dollars available, determine the award amounts. Funds are not transferred directly to food pantries to be spent, but the pantries’ awards amounts are placed on account as pre-selected vendors. Food pantries select the vendors of their choice and determine how much of their award is placed at each vendors. Food pantries make food purchases, the vendors submit the invoices to HTF for approval and HTF generates payment of funds to cover qualifying expenses.

In 2009, EFSP funds totaling $322,206.00 were awarded to 40 pantries and 16 aggregate meal sites.