Hunger Task Force and Hope Lutheran Food Pantry Have Partnered to End Hunger for Three Decades

Rooted in one of Milwaukee’s most underserved areas, Hope Lutheran Food Pantry fills a critical gap by offering healthy food and basic resources to local kids, families and older adults. Located at 1115 N. Highland Avenue, one of the few food pantries in Milwaukee’s 53208 ZIP code, Hope Lutheran has long welcomed anyone in need.

For over 30 years, Hunger Task Force has been a key partner in addressing food insecurity for local families visiting Hope Lutheran Food Pantry. Currently, Hunger Task Force provides roughly 55% of the pantry’s healthy food inventory, allowing the organization to invest limited resources in other food purchases, utilities and pantry supplies.

Each month, between 130 and 140 households, many of them multigenerational, receive the healthy food they need. Pantry Director Ethel Fowler, who has led the pantry since 2017, describes a growing need among families balancing limited incomes with rising costs. “Rent and utilities are going up. Families are relying more on pantries like ours,” she said. “It’s a heavy burden, especially for grandparents raising grandchildren or families coping with sudden tragedy.”

Fowler’s approach reflects a deep understanding of the role nutrition plays in family well-being. Drawing on her background in childcare, she emphasizes that a child’s ability to learn, grow and thrive is closely tied to access to healthy meals. “You can’t think when you’re hungry,” she said. That insight informs how the pantry operates today, ensuring that every bag of groceries considers both quantity and nutritional value, including produce from the Hunger Task Force Farm and other options that honor dietary and cultural traditions.

The pantry also serves as a hub for support beyond food. Seasonal clothing, back-to-school supplies and personal care items are distributed alongside groceries. Community events, like a monthly dinner or connections to worship services, allow guests to receive care in a holistic and welcoming environment. “People come for the food and stay for the fellowship,” Fowler said. “We don’t just fill stomachs; we support the whole family.”

Rising demand underscores the importance of Hunger Task Force’s Free & Local model. As citywide programs and smaller pantries face funding challenges or closures, more households turn to established pantries for consistent support. “We see new faces every month, and many are people coming to a food pantry for the first time,” Fowler noted. Hunger Task Force’s commitment to quality, healthy food allows pantries like Hope Lutheran to meet this demand while preserving dignity.

Fresh fruits and vegetables from The Farm, balanced proteins and nutritious pantry staples ensure kids, families and older adults have access to the food items that reflect their needs. The organization’s ongoing support strengthens the capacity of volunteers, like Fowler’s core team, who often come from senior communities themselves, to provide reliable, personalized care.

After the closure of another neighborhood pantry where she volunteered, Mary, a retired resident of Milwaukee’s Near West Side, found her way to Hope Lutheran Food Pantry to continue serving her community. Living just up the street, she has seen firsthand how the lack of a nearby grocery store has left families without reliable access to fresh, affordable food. “I live up the street, and this area has been a food desert for years,” Mary said. Her frustration with limited options fuels her commitment to supporting neighbors who depend on the pantry for nutritious groceries and basic resources.

Hope Lutheran Food Pantry operates on Thursdays from 9:30–11:00 a.m., with staff and volunteers available to accommodate emergencies or special requests. For more information, visit www.hopeluthmke.com.

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.