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RECENT NEWS
Hunger Task Force News & Features
Hunger Task Force Pantry Partner Serves Community with Dignity
Project Concern is a community non-profit center serving low-income residents of Milwaukee County, and the food pantry has been a member of the Hunger Task Force emergency food network for nearly 50 years.
Maxie’s 16th Annual Derby Day Party for Hunger Task Force Raises Record Donation
Maxie’s Derby Day Party was an amazing success, contributing $20,574 to Hunger Task Force, Milwaukee’s Free & Local food bank. Maxie’s remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting Hunger Task Force’s mission of eradicating hunger in our community.
Meet the new faces of Hunger Task Force
The principal strength of Hunger Task Force is its compassionate and committed staff. Hunger Task Force is proud to announce the addition of three new faces to our Advocacy, Nutrition and Farm teams. We are thrilled to welcome Tamira, Pasua and Stephen to their new roles at Hunger Task Force.
Hunger Task Force and Kohl’s Team Up for “Double-Double” Build and Food Sort
Hunger Task Force and Kohl’s continued to build on their long-standing partnership to reduce food insecurity in Milwaukee by executing a firs-of-its-kind “Double-Double” in the food bank’s Volunteer Action Center. This larger scale event featured a team of 150+ enthusiastic Kohl’s volunteers simultaneously building 680 Stockboxes and sorting over 23,000 pounds of food.
Volunteer of the Month: Jarrod Barber | May 2023
Each month Hunger Task Force is honored to recognize an individual or group who go above and beyond in their service to the organization. From food sorting and building healthy food boxes for seniors to helping individuals shop the Mobile Market and harvesting at The Farm, volunteers help Hunger Task Force feed people today and support our work in ending future hunger.
Hunger Task Force Spring 2023 Newsletter now available online
Click to explore this convenient, digital version of the Hunger Task Force Spring 2023 Newsletter! Read about the excitement of hosting a food drive, the expansion of culturally-focused nutrition education programming, Hunger Task Force’s growing FoodShare outreach efforts, the launch of the Hunger Task Force Legacy Society and more!
Local Artist Creates One-of-a-Kind Installations for Volunteer Welcome Center
Volunteers arriving at the Hunger Task Force Volunteer Welcome Center are greeted by three massive visual installations created by Milwaukee artist, Rosy Petri. Petri, a self-taught mixed media and textile artist. Petri’s collection of works for Hunger Task Force includes three substantial, quilted pieces titled Agriculture, Distribution and Advocacy. Aligning with the Hunger Task Force mission, these pieces provide a warm and inspiring welcome to those helping Hunger Task Force in its mission to provide healthy food with dignity to local families.
Hunger Task Force Receives $900,000 from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield to Address Health and Food Insecurity
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has generously committed $900,000 over the next three years to support Hunger Task Force’s Mobile Market and senior outreach programs. This collaboration represents one of Anthem’s largest philanthropic investments in Wisconsin.
Hunger Task Force Celebrates Schools Recognized in the Wisconsin School Breakfast Challenge
This year, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction teamed up with Hunger Task Force, the School Nutrition Association of Wisconsin, and Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry to inspire creativity and increase student participation in school breakfast. Throughout the month of February, thirty schools from across the state competed in the 2022-2023 Wisconsin School Breakfast Challenge.
Cheers! Free & Local American Wheat Available Now
Hunger Task Force and MobCraft Beer rolled out the barrels for the release of the freshly brewed Free & Local American Wheat, a refreshing hoppy wheat beer featuring Citra hops. Free & Local American Wheat will join other crowdsourced beers that are served in MobCraft’s taproom, with proceeds from each pint sold in their taproom and a portion of wholesale sales benefiting Hunger Task Force.
Volunteer of the Month: Milwaukee Tool | April 2023
Each month Hunger Task Force is honored to recognize an individual or group who go above and beyond in their service to the organization. From food sorting and building healthy food boxes for seniors to helping individuals shop the Mobile Market and harvesting at The Farm, volunteers help Hunger Task Force feed people today and support our work in ending future hunger.
Hunger Task Force and Palermo’s Distribute 500 “Easter Baskets for the Hungry” to Local Families in Need
Palermo’s Pizza again partnered with Hunger Task Force for the annual Easter Baskets for the Hungry program. Hunger Task Force worked with its local pantry network to identify 500 families in need who will be recipients of the Easter Boxes and coordinated a drive-thru distribution at the new West Milwaukee headquarters.
Spring 2023 Nutrition Education Quarterly available online
Hunger Task Force doesn’t just feed people in our community – we help along their health journeys, too. Hunger Task Force offers a robust Nutrition Education Program committed to providing useful tools to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Check out this seasonal edition of our Nutrition Education Quarterly. Explore this seasonal publication for helpful tips on healthy eating, cooking skills, budget-friendly shopping and ways to fit physical activity in your day.
Hunger Task Force Included in Food Access Research Publication
During the pandemic, Hunger Task Force worked with a research team to study how federal nutrition programs played a vital role in averting crisis levels of hunger. The paper was recently published in the Journal of Consumer Research.
Hunger Task Force Teams Up with Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Khris Middleton for the Final Day of Match Madness MKE
For the final day of Match Madness 2023, Hunger Task Force is excited to partner with three-time NBA All-Star and NBA Champion Khris Middleton for the Middleton-Match. On Friday, March 10, all donations will be matched, dollar for dollar and Middleton will personally match all $22 donations up to $11,000.
Match Madness MKE Returns March 1 – 10, Double Your Donation To End Hunger
For the 8th consecutive year, Match Madness MKE strikes hunger at a time when brackets and competitions are top of mind in the community. Match Madness MKE is the perfect opportunity for the community to give back and “score big” for local families with a doubled donation.
Volunteer of the Month: Barb Holt | March 2023
Each month Hunger Task Force is honored to recognize an individual or group who go above and beyond in their service to the organization. From food sorting and building healthy food boxes for seniors to helping individuals shop the Mobile Market and harvesting at The Farm, volunteers help Hunger Task Force feed people today and support our work in ending future hunger.
Hunger Task Force 2022 Annual Report now available online
Explore this convenient, digital version of the Hunger Task Force 2022 Annual Report! Hunger Task Force is on a mission. We feed people today and we end hunger tomorrow. Learn more about our work last year, our ongoing programs and some of the biggest wins from 2022 in our Annual Report!
Hunger Task Force Participates in White House “Communities in Action: Building a Better Wisconsin”
Hunger Task Force attended an exclusive conference at the White House: Communities in Action: Building a Better Wisconsin. The half-day conference invited select Wisconsin leaders to share real-life examples, data, and anecdotes of the local impact the Biden-Harris Administration has contributed to in their community and across Wisconsin.
Meet the new faces of Hunger Task Force
The principal strength of Hunger Task Force is its compassionate and committed staff. Hunger Task Force is proud to announce the addition of three new faces to our Advocacy, Food and Development teams. We are thrilled to welcome Gevon, Megan and Julia to their new roles at Hunger Task Force.
Hunger Task Force and MobCraft Beer Brew A Hoppy Partnership for the Community
Hunger Task Force and MobCraft Beer began the process of brewing Free & Local American Wheat, a refreshing hoppy wheat beer featuring Citra hops. This partnership and new beer concept was part of MobCraft’s nonprofit, crowdsourced beer competition.
Deep-Rooted Community Support: Raja Family Makes Giving a Household Tradition
The Raja family has a deep affection for the Milwaukee community, with family ties that span back almost 70 years. This long-rooted affection has inspired Sharath, Nirmal and their two children to be active supporters in the Milwaukee community and give back to organizations that are critical to the community – including Hunger Task Force.
Hunger Task Force Receives $750,000 Donation from Kohl’s to Help Reduce Food Insecurity in Milwaukee
Kohl’s is continuing its 14-year support and partnership with Hunger Task Force with a $750,000 donation to provide healthy food for families and children facing hunger. The Kohl’s donation comes at a critical time as the federal government recently announced that households will receive their last extra COVID-19 FoodShare payment.
Speaking Your Language for Help
Asking for help is never easy, and Sue was appreciative that Hunger Task Force had Hmong-speaking staff that helped to make her feel more comfortable. Working with our FoodShare Advocates, Sue was connected with important nutrition programs like FoodShare and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, which ensure she and her family will have healthy meals around the dinner table.
Everyone knew extra federal food stamp allotments would end. But the timing couldn’t be worse.
Though advocates and recipients alike anticipated the eventual end of the pandemic payments, the unexpectedly abrupt loss of these extra benefits comes at a time when even families with means are seeing their money stretch less far at the grocery store.
Volunteer of the Month: Michael Raymond | February 2023
Each month Hunger Task Force is honored to recognize an individual or group who go above and beyond in their service to the organization. From food sorting and building healthy food boxes for seniors to helping individuals shop the Mobile Market and harvesting at The Farm, volunteers help Hunger Task Force feed people today and support our work in ending future hunger.
A Uniquely Wisconsin Solution to Hunger
Chieftain Wild Rice and Rice River Farms was one of the original Badger Box partners when the program was launched in early 2022. A Badger Box is a box of Wisconsin-grown and produced foods sourced from small and medium-sized Wisconsin farmers and food producers, distributed monthly through distribution centers of the Hunger Relief Federation.
Meet the new faces of Hunger Task Force
The principal strength of Hunger Task Force is its compassionate and committed staff. Hunger Task Force is proud to announce the addition of three new faces to our Advocacy, Food and Development teams. We are thrilled to welcome Marnita, Erin and Sheila to their new roles at Hunger Task Force.
Hunger Task Force prepares families and seniors for the ending of extra FoodShare COVID-19 pandemic payments
Due to federal action, the last extra FoodShare COVID-19 pandemic payment is February 19, 2023. Hunger Task Force will begin preparing families and seniors for the ending of extra FoodShare COVID-19 pandemic benefits.
2022-2023 School Breakfast Challenge
School Breakfast fuels academic success! Kids who eat a healthy school breakfast do better in math, have higher attendance and are more likely to graduate. Make this school year the best one yet. Join the Wisconsin School Breakfast Challenge and see how easy it is to provide a healthy breakfast and a great start for every student!
Winter 2023 Nutrition Education Quarterly available online
Hunger Task Force doesn’t just feed people in our community – we help along their health journeys, too. Hunger Task Force offers a robust Nutrition Education Program committed to providing useful tools to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Check out this seasonal edition of our Nutrition Education Quarterly. Explore this seasonal publication for helpful tips on healthy eating, cooking skills, budget-friendly shopping and ways to fit physical activity in your day.
Volunteer of the Month: Margo Ford | January 2023
Each month Hunger Task Force is honored to recognize an individual or group who go above and beyond in their service to the organization. From food sorting and building healthy food boxes for seniors to helping individuals shop the Mobile Market and harvesting at The Farm, volunteers help Hunger Task Force feed people today and support our work in ending future hunger.
Sargento and Hunger Task Force Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the ‘Touchdowns for Hunger’ Program with Packers Hall of Famer Donald Driver
Since the program’s inception in 2003, Touchdowns For Hunger has raised more than 1.1 million to fight hunger in the Milwaukee community. This year’s event guest of honor featured Packers’ legend Donald Driver. Like Sargento, Donald Driver believes in giving back and through his foundation, he supports causes here in Wisconsin that help people live better lives.
Hungry for the holidays: Inflation driving spike in food insecurity across Wisconsin
Food banks like Hunger Task Force have worked overtime to meet the increasing demand for food. The Hunger Task Force has given more than 10 million pounds to families in need across the state during the calendar year.
Badger Box Program Will Continue
Fighting hunger isn’t a seasonal issue, but this is the time of year that many people pay more attention to food insecurity in our communities. Sherrie Tussler, the Executive Director of Hunger Task Force in Milwaukee shares more about the urban farm they use to produce fresh foods, as well as an update on Badger Boxes, the partnership between Hunger Task Force and Wisconsin farmers that came about during the pandemic.
Food is a Human Right: Hunger Persists in Wisconsin
Hunger persists in Wisconsin. There is an existing solution that can feed people today, tomorrow and next year. The solution is called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. SNAP provides low-income households struggling to make ends meet with food buying power each month until they are back on their feet.
Hunger Task Force Unveils Van for Ho-Chunk Nation Health Department
Hunger Task Force unveiled a newly wrapped refrigerated van to members of the Ho-Chunk Nation. Made possible by a generous donation, the van will be used to support the Tribal Health Department’s Food Sovereignty Program, which teaches tribal members about traditional food sources, preparation and using food as medicine for wellness.
Volunteer of the Month: Mary Burgoon | December 2022
Each month Hunger Task Force is honored to recognize an individual or group who go above and beyond in their service to the organization. From food sorting and building healthy food boxes for seniors to helping individuals shop the Mobile Market and harvesting at The Farm, volunteers help Hunger Task Force feed people today and support our work in ending future hunger.
Hunger Task Force Winter 2022 Newsletter now available online
As we wrap up 2022 and look to the new year, explore this convenient, digital version of the Hunger Task Force Winter Newsletter! Read about Hunger Task Force’s recent trip to the White House, our record growing season at the Hunger Task Force Farm, the extension of the Badger Box program, upcoming winter events and much more!
Raymond James, TMJ4 and Hunger Task Force Partner for Annual “Home 4 the Holidays” Campaign
Hunger Task Force is again partnering with Raymond James and TMJ4 to offer an easy way to give back to local families this season – a virtual food drive! The Home 4 the Holidays virtual food drive runs December 1-December 31.
Meet the new faces of Hunger Task Force
The principal strength of Hunger Task Force is its compassionate and committed staff. Hunger Task Force is proud to announce the addition of three new faces to our Hunger Relief Federation, Administration and Development teams. We are thrilled to welcome Mark, Melissa and Will to their new roles at Hunger Task Force.
Local Mother Finds FoodShare is a Blessing During the Holidays
With the holiday season approaching, family gatherings and a shared meal are at the forefront in most households. Nanette shares, “If I didn’t have FoodShare and the occasional help from the pantry, the holidays would be meager. We wouldn’t have much. With the economy how it is now, it’s a blessing to be able to provide a healthy meal for your family.”
La comida es un derecho humano, pero demasiados en mi comunidad están luchando para comprar alimentos.
SNAP, o FoodShare como se le llama en Wisconsin, es un programa federal que apoya a madres, niños, personas mayores o cualquier persona que pueda tener problemas para pagar los alimentos. El acceso a alimentos de calidad y culturalmente apropiados es un derecho humano, es nuestro trabajo educar a nuestra comunidad y obtener los recursos que merecemos.
Meet the new faces of Hunger Task Force
The principal strength of Hunger Task Force is its compassionate and committed staff. This month, Hunger Task Force is proud to announce the addition of three new faces to our Advocacy, Operations and Hunger Relief Federation teams. We are thrilled to welcome Abigail, Kyle and Brandon to their new roles at Hunger Task Force.
Replacement FoodShare Benefits
Current FoodShare members who lose food purchased with FoodShare benefits due to a flood, a fire, or other household misfortune – including loss of power – can request the replacement benefits from the State.
Volunteer of the Month: Harley-Davidson | November 2022
Each month Hunger Task Force is honored to recognize an individual or group who go above and beyond in their service to the organization. From food sorting and building healthy food boxes for seniors to helping individuals shop the Mobile Market and harvesting at The Farm, volunteers help Hunger Task Force feed people today and support our work in ending future hunger.
Zurn Elkay to Match All Turkey Donations to Hunger Task Force Throughout November
The Turkey Ticker Challenge is back! All November, Zurn Elkay Water Solutions will be matching all online turkey donations AND frozen turkey donations. It’s never been easier to put a gobbler on a family’s Thanksgiving dinner table.
Hunger Task Force Files Civil Rights Complaint Due to Ill-advised MiLES Closure and Move
The Coggs Center closed its doors without notice to families and individuals receiving or needing services on Monday, October 31. On November 1, 2022, the Coggs Building is set to reopen in a new location across town–eight miles north– at 6055 N. 64th Street, with abysmal access to the building for people using MCTS, disabled or elderly and uninviting prison fencing around the building.
Milwaukee Veteran Encourages Other Seniors to Apply for FoodShare
FoodShare has helped Alan Shepard manage his budget better. With food prices on the rise, increases to rent and the cost of medicines, FoodShare has helped him feel comfortable and not worry about his other expenses. “I’m trying to get better with my nutrition, I’m not getting any younger, so I have to be careful with what I buy. FoodShare helps me buy healthy foods.”
Hunger Task Force Badger Box Program receives $5 Million Investment from Gov. Evers and DATCP
Governor Evers, along with with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), announced today that Hunger Task Force will receive a $5 million investment to continue the work to eliminate food insecurity in rural communities, urban centers, Tribal Nations, and homes across Wisconsin.