Meet Mardi Smirl: Our Community Relations Manager and Lifelong Hunger Advocate

Hunger Task Force is 100% community-supported and is Milwaukee’s only Free & Local food bank. Mardi Smirl has served as the organization’s Community Relations Manager for nearly two years, following her previous role as Front Office Coordinator.

In her role, Mardi oversees Hunger Task Force’s events and corporate partnerships, supports donor stewardship initiatives and is the point person for every food drive benefitting Hunger Task Force. She also cultivates and expands a portfolio of key relationships with corporate and organizational partners to ensure ongoing support and engagement.

“As someone who benefited from food pantries as a child, I feel a deep connection to the community we serve at Hunger Task Force,” says Mardi. “I am truly grateful for the opportunity to give back and to play a pivotal role in ensuring there is a safety net for people during challenging times.”

Her role as Community Relations Manager allows Mardi to utilize the diverse skills she has developed throughout her career. She began her professional journey in sales and marketing before transitioning into community-based work.

“Customer and community service have always been integral to my work. Transitioning from a desk position to engaging directly with the community has broadened my impact,” adds Mardi. “There is nothing quite like it. Coordinating food drives and collaborating with corporate partners to host special events is incredibly rewarding. People are always interested in learning how we maximize limited resources and it is a privilege to share our story.”

When engaging with the community, Mardi often finds that many individuals are surprised to learn that Hunger Task Force is much more than just a food bank. She observes that people are consistently impressed by the organization’s comprehensive services, including sophisticated advocacy initiatives, extensive volunteer opportunities and the far-reaching Summer Meals program.

For Mardi, working in community relations means serving as a bridge builder. She takes great pride in fostering connections across departments at Hunger Task Force, ensuring that information about the organization’s programs reaches both those who benefit from them and those interested in supporting them.

A Milwaukee native, Mardi takes pride in being a longstanding resident of the city she has called home since childhood. She describes her work as “profoundly satisfying” and emphasizes the fulfillment she finds in contributing to a world where no one goes without food.

“Looking out for others—there truly is no greater privilege,” shares Mardi. “Each day, I wake up grateful for the opportunity to do this work. It is central to who I am, and I recognize that not everyone can build a career aligned with their passion.”

Since stepping into the role of Community Relations Manager, Mardi has been continually inspired by the number of individuals who genuinely care about the health and well-being of their neighbors just as she does.

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.