Feeding kids is core to Hunger Task Force’s mission. And over the next two years, we have a special opportunity to connect more infants and moms to the Women, Infants and Children program. Thanks to a special WIC Community Innovation and Outreach grant (WIC CIAO, for short) from the USDA through the Food Research & Action Center, Hunger Task Force will be able to focus more resources on making sure our community’s most vulnerable kids have access to healthy food and formula.

Hunger Task Force’s project was one of a handful selected nationally to carry out this important outreach. Our outreach work will focus on Milwaukee and key areas of Wisconsin, including Tribal lands and rural areas. The project will deploy innovative outreach and incentive strategies to increase enrollment in this important nutrition program. The WIC CIAO program is made possible by a unique national project team, which includes the USDA, Food Research & Action Center, UnidosUS, Native American Agriculture Fund and the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition. We’re grateful for their support!

Aretha Kubera 

WIC Outreach Manager

Hunger Task Force is excited to welcome Aretha Kubera to her new role as the agency’s first WIC Outreach Manager. Aretha will work to increase WIC education and engagement for the purpose of increasing Wisconsin WIC enrollment and reducing disparities in program delivery.

Aretha comes to Hunger Task Force from Next Door, a Milwaukee-based organization supporting the intellectual, physical and emotional development of children, where she previously provided direct community services to parents and children, including WIC referrals. She earned a master’s in education from Ashford University and a master’s in health services administration from Strayer University. As WIC Outreach Manager, Aretha will increase WIC awareness and participation, establish new partnerships with healthcare systems and community organizations and will compile data, best practices and recommendations to maximize program enrollment.