Reno Wright Has Dedicated His Career to Bettering the Lives of People in His Community

Hunger Task Force is 100% community-supported and is Milwaukee’s only Free & Local food bank. Dr. Reno Wright has served as the Public Policy & Advocacy Director for three years and leads the work of the advocacy department to effectively increase access Wisconsinites have to federal nutrition assistance programs.

“One of the things that resonate with me since I’ve been here, is how very important it is that people within the community actually have a seat at the table and can make their voices heard so policy makers understand what the needs are of those who are affected by their decisions,” shared Reno.

As the Public Policy & Advocacy Director, Reno dedicates his time to educating policy makers about the issues community members are facing so they can make the best decisions for their constituency. He and his team also help people participating in federal nutrition assistance programs and concerned citizens understand the different –and easy – ways they can make their voices heard to advocate for food policies that improve their lives and share how changes to programs they currently participate in either do or will affect them.

“I’ve taken letters from Wisconsin producers and partner emergency food providers and lived experiences from community members into meetings with legislators who have told me how helpful they are in making decisions about anti-hunger policies,” says Reno. “I’ve also been accompanied by constituents in legislative meetings which have made a significant impact on elected officials.”

During his tenure at Hunger Task Force, Reno and several members of the team developed and deployed the agency’s citizen advocacy group called Voices Against Hunger. Through Voices Against Hunger, members receive access to information that enables them to influence effective anti-hunger public policy by taking impactful and quick actions to fight hunger. From making phone calls to their local officials – using a script – to sending pre-drafted emails to their local officials and testifying at public hearings, there are a variety of ways members can make their voices heard.

Reno has spent his entire career working to improve the lives of people in his community. Before joining the team at Hunger Task Force, he spent nearly 25 years at an employment solutions company that connected families participating in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program with employment, training and educational opportunities. In addition to his work at Hunger Task Force, he is a social justice preacher in Milwaukee and an adjunct instructor at Edgewood University.

“Whatever I do in my personal life and career – and within the community – is dedicated to equipping people with knowledge and information needed to live their best lives and become the best version of themselves,” adds Reno. “I look at what I’ve been doing throughout my career as a calling. I believe I’m here to serve a greater purpose and to help people attain their purposes as well.”

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.