Urgent Campaigns

Half of our mission is taking action on government nutrition programs so that more people can get benefits and feed their families. You can take action on our behalf by writing letters, sending e-mails, making phone calls, meeting with elected officials, and testifying at public hearings. To find out more about how to get involved in current issues, contact Mary Ryan, organizer, at (414) 238-6471 or mary @ hungertaskforce.org.

Every five years Congress has an opportunity to change the child nutrition programs that help feed millions of American children. This Congressional process is called “child nutrition reauthorization – or “CNR” for short. CNR involves all of the federal child nutrition programs, including summer meals, WIC and school breakfast and lunch.

What can you do to support CNR?

1.Sign our petition!

2. Visit our "Contact Your Elected Officials" page to write your US Senators and Congressional Representative. Ask them to make CNR reauthorization a priority in 2010!

3. A phone call to President Obama is another way support child nutrition reauthorization. Dial (202) 456-1111 (TTY/TDD 202-456-6213) to reach the White House comment line. When you call, it is important to be clear, concise and direct. You may wish to mention that you:

• Strongly support the Obama Administration’s commitment to ending child hunger by 2015.
• Urge the Obama Administration to include critical funding for child nutrition programs in the Fiscal Year 2011 budget.
• Want the Administration to act now to help end hunger for America’s children? The number of food-insecure children is growing in our community, where 1 out of 3 Milwaukee children lives in poverty.

Wondering if CNR is worth your time and support? Watch this video and see if it helps you decide.

Hunger Task Force’s unique farm and fish hatchery located at the House of Correction in Franklin which provides over 300,000 pounds of fresh produce free each year to 80 Milwaukee County soup kitchens, meal programs, and pantries is in jeopardy!

The 2010 Milwaukee County budget passed an amendment to “save” this project – but the amendment may only keep the program alive through July 1, 2010. Hunger Task Force needs the County Board and the Sheriff’s Office to provide a specific number of Huber-eligible inmates for this project.

Do you want to help keep the farm and fish hatchery alive?
Here’s what you can do:

• Read our updated position paper to learn more about the situation on the ground now.
• Write a letter to the editor at the Journal Sentinel saying that you think the Hunger Task Force farm and fish hatchery is a valuable resource and urge the County to do all it can to support it. Please keep your letter to 150 words. When writing, add a personal touch explaining why you care about the farm and fish hatchery and keep it positive, avoiding personal attacks or divisive remarks. Submit your letter to jsedit @ journalsentinel.com and bcc or send a follow-up email to mary @ hungertaskforce.org so we know you sent it.
• Contact your Milwaukee County Board Supervisor and express your desire to save this valuable resource and urge him or her to monitor and support progress at the farm and fish hatchery. Find your County Board member by calling 414-278-4222 or visiting milwaukee.gov/FindDistrictSupervisor.