What: Milwaukee’s needy children will receive healthy meals this summer courtesy of the Fueling Young Minds summer meals program. Summer is traditionally a high-risk period for hunger because children in need are not receiving their usual school meals. Now in its seventh year, this program has become a summer tradition in Milwaukee County. Since its inception, the program has experienced tremendous growth every year. From nearly 400,000 meals served in 2004, to 1.5 million meals and snacks served at 198 meal sites last summer, the community partnership has developed a storied tradition of feeding Milwaukee’s youth.

Harley-Davidson Foundation provides a generous grant of $125,000 for the program. Hunger Task Force then organizes community-wide collaborations with Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), the Salvation Army, Milwaukee Center for Independence (MCFI), Social Development Commission (SDC) and Boys & Girls Clubs to set up meal sites at schools, community learning centers and recreation centers.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) refers to Fueling Young Minds as the “Milwaukee Model” for communities in other states to replicate.

To kick off the program and make families aware of their nearest meal site during the summer, teams of volunteers will meet at Hunger Task Force, collect their bright orange “Summer Meals HERE” signs and post them outside meal sites throughout the city.

Who: Hunger Task Force, Harley-Davidson Foundation, USDA, DPI, MPS, Salvation Army, MCFI and teams of volunteers.

When: Tuesday, June 8 at 9:00 a.m.

Where: Hunger Task Force office
201 S. Hawley Court

Visuals: Statements from Hunger Task Force and USDA representatives; volunteers loading signs, bright orange signs being posted throughout the city.

Interview: Sherrie Tussler, Executive Director of Hunger Task Force; Alan Shannon, Director of Public Affairs, USDA/Midwest Region; Julie Mikkelson, Acting Deputy Regional Administrator, USDA/Midwest Region; Amanda Kane and June Paul, Department of Public Instruction, Community Nutrition Services.

Why: Because kids should view summer as a cause for celebration, not a cause for concern.

Hunger Task Force believes that every person has a right to adequate food obtained with dignity. Hunger Task Force works to prevent hunger and malnutrition by providing food to people in need today and by promoting social policies to achieve a hunger free community tomorrow.