Linda Barnes, Hunger Task Force Network Partner, Plans Retirement After Nearly Four Decades of Service
As Wisconsin’s anti-hunger leader, Hunger Task Force serves more than 175,000 individuals each month across the state. During challenging economic times and periods of increased need, the strength of our Free & Local mission depends on our network of trusted and community-centric partners who are directly feeding kids, families and older adults. For nearly four decades, Linda Barnes has been a reliable and compassionate partner.
Linda has served as the assistant director at the Capuchin Community Services House of Peace. There, she has spent 37 years serving individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in Milwaukee – a job she describes her calling.
“This has been my walk in life,” Linda shares. “This is what I was born for – to be a social worker and to be here at the House of Peace.”
Since she was hired in 1989, Linda’s role has extended well beyond the traditional scope of a social worker. At House of Peace, serving clients holistically often includes referrals to the organization’s food pantry which joined Hunger Task Force’s local network in 1993.
“Food is often the first reason someone walks through the door,” Linda explains. “But it’s never the only need. We meet people there and ask what else can we do to support them.”
Through its partnership with Hunger Task Force, House of Peace offers healthy food with dignity to neighbors in need. Today, more than 70% of the food distributed through the pantry is provided free of charge by Hunger Task Force, which allows House of Peace to cover other expenses to continue to carry out its mission.
Under Linda’s leadership, the food pantry has become one of the most accessible in Milwaukee County. Open five days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., these hours strategically remove barriers to accessing healthy food for working individuals.
“We realized people needed to come in during their lunch break or whenever they could,” Linda says. “So, we adjusted. We made sure someone is always there to serve.”
As Linda prepares to retire at the end of June, she leaves behind a legacy of service and will continue to be a powerful example of how dedicated, long-standing network partnership can strengthen a shared commitment of feeding people today and ending future hunger.
“Linda has seen a lot of critical need in our community over four decades. Through it all, she continued to be a graceful force and dedicated advocate for families. She will be missed,” shares Michael Jonas, Hunger Task Force Community Liaison. “Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement, my friend!”
Over the course of her career, Linda has served tens of thousands of households. As a true Friend of Free & Local, Linda has helped shape a responsive and accessible pantry model rooted in dignity, ensured countless neighbors could access food when they needed it most and strengthened a partnership that has connected thousands of Milwaukee households to healthy food.
“I’m just grateful. Grateful for the journey, for the people and for the opportunity to do what I believe I was called to do,” adds Linda.
Hunger Task Force serves nearly 60,000 individuals every month through our local network of food pantries, meal sites and shelters in Milwaukee County. Over the past two years, our local network has experienced a nearly 50% increase in community need.
Meet Other Friends of Free & Local!
Click below to discover real people making a difference in the fight against hunger – new faces added regularly! Keep checking back to meet more incredible individuals making a difference.