Volunteer(s) of the Month: Therese & Jim Cincotta
Each month Hunger Task Force is honored to recognize an individual or organization that goes above and beyond in their service to the organization.
Therese and Jim began volunteering with Hunger Task Force in 2012, initially supporting food sorting and community food drives through Jim’s employer. What started as occasional volunteer service grew into years of hands-on involvement, including Stockbox builds, fundraising support and team volunteer days that deepened their connection to the organization’s mission.
Today, Therese and Jim are regular volunteers at the Hunger Task Force Farm in Franklin, where they help with planting, harvesting and maintaining the growing spaces that produce fresh food for local families. Drawn to the immediacy of the impact and the strong sense of community among staff and volunteers, they continue to give their time together, helping ensure healthy food reaches those who need it most.
Hunger Task Force is proud to honor Therese and Jim as our Volunteer(s) of the Month and are grateful for her commitment to the Free & Local mission!
When did you start volunteering with Hunger Task Force and what made you want to get involved?
Therese & Jim: Giving back has always been important to us, starting with annual donations to Hunger Task Force. Our first hands-on volunteering was in 2012 through food sorting at the Hawley Road facility, organized through Jim’s employer at the time, Direct Supply. From there, we stayed involved through Stamp Out Hunger food drives, Stockbox builds and bulk mail projects.
Our connection deepened when Jim organized team volunteer days at the Hunger Task Force Farm while working at Northwestern Mutual. After retiring, Jim became a regular Farm volunteer in 2022 and quickly grew attached to the work and the mission. Seeing how fresh produce moves directly from the field to families in need inspired Therese to join him as a Thursday morning regular in 2024. Volunteering together has since become part of our routine.
What volunteer activities do you help with?
Therese & Jim: We help with a wide range of activities at The Farm, including pre-planting work, transplanting, weeding and harvesting produce. We’ve also helped clear invasive plants in the oak savanna and clean beehives. Over the years, we’ve supported food sorting, Stockbox builds and bulk mail projects as well, but The Farm remains our favorite place to volunteer.
What’s your favorite part about volunteering?
Jim: Working alongside the Farm staff and knowing the food we harvest will reach families within days makes the work feel immediate and meaningful.
Therese: Knowing that our time and effort directly help others is incredibly rewarding.
Why do you continue to pick Hunger Task Force?
Jim: The mission and people are exceptional. Hunger Task Force is deeply focused on serving people with dignity, and the fact that all services are provided at no cost is a big reason we continue to come back.
Therese: I believe in the mission. Everyone deserves access to healthy food.
What’s been your most memorable experience volunteering?
Jim: Getting to know the regular volunteers and feeling genuinely appreciated by staff has meant a lot. And helping Therese navigate the harvest house with a manual pallet jack is a memory we still laugh about.
Therese: The camaraderie in the fields and the friendships we’ve made together stand out the most.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering at Hunger Task Force?
Jim: There are many ways to give back, but few are as enjoyable and rewarding as helping provide food for people who need it.
Therese: Do it! The staff value your time, and you can see the impact right away.
For more information on how you can get involved, visit: www.HungerTaskForce.org/volunteer
Meet our Volunteers of the Month!
Click below to discover the people making a difference in the fight against hunger – new volunteers added each month! Keep checking back to meet more incredible volunteers helping end hunger in Milwaukee.