The FOOD Pantry Serving Waukesha County Has Been Advocating for Federal Nutrition Programs Since Joining the Hunger Relief Federation in 2016

Jun 2, 2025

Hunger Task Force is the founding member of the Hunger Relief Federation, which is a statewide association of independent food banks and food pantries. The FOOD Pantry Serving Waukesha County, a member of the federation since 2016, is dedicated to fighting local hunger at its food pantry and advocating for federal nutrition programs that support hungry seniors and families.

“When the Hunger Relief Federation started in 2016, we were connected right away and joined as a member. Over the years, I’ve seen the growth of the federation and its importance in our work against food insecurity and I really appreciate the partnership with Hunger Task Force,” says Michael Egly, Director of Program Services at The FOOD Pantry Serving Waukesha County. “The support the federation team provides to us is beneficial for the programs we offer through education and best practices shared via network calls and the Federation Summit. The federation has also been very integral to building our infrastructure and resources for effective advocacy to advance our mission.”

This spring, Hunger Relief Federation Organizer Mark Lisowski trained the board of the FOOD Pantry Serving Waukesha County on advocacy – focusing on the ways board members can serve as ambassadors and advocates of the pantry’s mission. He shared best practices for reaching out to members of congress and speaking on behalf of clients the pantry serves during listening sessions and committee meetings.

What’s more, Hunger Task Force has provided more than $130,000 worth of infrastructure to increase the pantry’s capacity to serve its clients. To date, Hunger Task Force has connected the pantry with grants to receive two two-door coolers, one three-door freezer, a non-CDL truck, a mobile shelving unit, safety mirrors, tables, a workbench, casters and an upright kit.

The FOOD Pantry Serving Waukesha County is open six days per week and currently serves nearly 130 families every day. In 2024, the pantry saw over 100,000 individual service visits. Recently, the pantry has experienced a 10% increase in community need – most notably among new families.

Hunger Task Force is Milwaukee’s Free & Local food bank and Wisconsin’s anti-hunger leader. The organization’s core values are Dignity, Justice, Equity, Compassion and Stewardship. Hunger Task Force feeds people today by providing healthy and culturally appropriate food to hungry children, families and seniors in the community absolutely free of charge. Hunger Task Force also works to end future hunger by advocating for strong public policies and nutrition programs at the local, state and federal level.