Hunger Task Force moves food bank operations to new headquarters
Construction is in full swing at Hunger Task Force’s new headquarters located at 5000 W. Electric Avenue in West Milwaukee. With fresh walls shaping the new Community Education Kitchen, Volunteer Welcome Center, Client Services Room and staff offices, the 120,000 square foot building is under an immense transformation.
“Hunger Task Force has a rich tradition of serving the community with dignity and compassion,” according to Sherrie Tussler, Hunger Task Force Executive Director. “The new building increases our strength to serve.”
While areas for Food, Advocacy, Development and Administrative teams are still under construction, Hunger Task Force recently transitioned all food bank operations to the new headquarters.
Since 2011, Hunger Task Force had operated from two warehouses while annually increasing local food distribution and statewide network partner support. Previous warehouse storage capacity limitations required Hunger Task Force to invest significant funds in off-site storage. Now, the new warehouse has been filled with 100% of Hunger Task Force’s food resources, including donated food, USDA commodities, fresh produce and dairy products.
“Combining resources into one location has grown our ability to be more efficient across the warehouse department,” says Lee Knouse, Hunger Task Force Operations Director. “Having a centralized, streamlined way to get receive food and get it out to our network partners has greatly reduced costs and has afforded our warehouse team the opportunity to focus on providing a higher level of customer service and care.”
By combining two warehouses into one, Hunger Task Force will reduce annual transportation costs by over $100,000. As a statewide anchor, Hunger Task Force is often called to assist the 133 members of the Hunger Relief Federation of Wisconsin, food banks, pantries and emergency food providers representing all 72 counties and 10 Tribal Nations.
The expanded warehouse space currently holds three million pounds of food spread over 126 lanes of product. The 7,000 square foot freezer and 2,000 square foot cooler, which were built and installed earlier this year, have been chilled and are loaded with frozen goods and fresh Farm produce.
“This new headquarters will allow Hunger Task Force to provide robust support to independent food banks, other anti-hunger organizations and Tribal Nations into the future,” adds Tussler. “We’re excited for the future of Hunger Task Force and invite you to get involved.”
To learn more about our new home and support our capital campaign, visit: www.HungerTaskForce.org/NewHQ
