Hunger Task Force and Independence First Have Distributed More than 3,500 Stockboxes since 2021

Since 2021, Hunger Task Force has partnered with Independence First to ensure low-income seniors in Milwaukee have consistent access to nutritious food. Through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) – known locally as Stockbox – Hunger Task Force distributes more than 10,000 boxes of healthy, shelf-stable food to income-eligible adults over age 60 at more than 140 sites across Wisconsin every month.

One of those sites is Independence First, Metro Milwaukee’s resource for people with disabilities. There, an average of 50 clients receive a monthly Stockbox filled with nutritious foods including cereal, milk, canned vegetables and fruit, pasta or rice, canned meats, protein items, juice, and two pounds of fresh Wisconsin cheese.

“The Stockbox is a really great mix of healthy food that our regulars who come every month really rely on to get by,” said Lorna Barthel, Community Outreach and Special Events Coordinator at Independence First. “We became a Stockbox distribution site during the COVID pandemic. We were noticing that a lot of our consumers – the people with disabilities that we serve – were struggling to get their basic needs met. Since then, the basic need for food never really went away so being a Stockbox site is vital for our consumers.”

As food prices continue to rise, the need for supplemental food support continues. According to Lorna, a lot of the seniors served by Independence First have not seen a rise in their Social Security or SNAP allotments to coincide with inflation. This impacts their ability to purchase the nutritious groceries they need to get by. In Milwaukee, one in seven seniors is living below the federal poverty level. What’s more, the average SNAP allotment is just $6 per day.

One Friday of every month, Hunger Task Force staff visit Independence First to distribute Stockboxes to the 50 seniors who are enrolled in the federal nutrition program or their proxies.

“One thing I really love is that the same Hunger Task Force representatives visit our location to distribute Stockboxes every month and they are so friendly and kind,” adds Lorna. “I’ve heard from seniors that some food pantries can feel less dignified – and some are even scared to go. For us to have this option to serve our seniors in a fully accessible space surrounded by friendly faces is really valuable.”

To support sites like Independence First, the Hunger Task Force Network Services Team works diligently to ensure all allotted Stockboxes are distributed each month. To learn more about the Stockbox Program, visit www.HungerTaskForce.org/Stockbox.

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.