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RECENT NEWS
Hunger Task Force News & Features
Salvation Army: A Community Champion for Summer Meals in Milwaukee
For Milwaukee, a community where many families are facing financial hardships, organizations like the Salvation Army serve as beacons of hope and service. A dedicated member of the Salvation Army team, Kummardar Brodie stands out as a shining example of unwavering commitment.
Hunger Task Force Fall 2023 Newsletter now available online
Click to explore this convenient, digital version of the Hunger Task Force Fall 2023 Newsletter! Read about our bountiful harvest season at The Farm, ways Hunger Task Force is supporting WIC outreach across the state, the Cooking with Culture program, ways YOU can give back this holiday season and much more!
Hunger Task Force Hosts Tasting Event to Highlight and Thank Wisconsin’s Dairy Farmers and Cheesemakers
In partnership with the Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Promotions Board, Hunger Task Force hosted a tasting event with Wisconsin’s Dairy Farmers and Cheesemakers. This event featured the best of Wisconsin’s cheeses and dairy products, including winners from the 2023 Blue Ribbon Dairy Products Auction at the Wisconsin State Fair.
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 and Senior Services teams. We are thrilled to welcome Leslie, Jeremy and Menickalay to their new roles at Hunger Task Force.
Child Nutrition Organizer Helps Ensure That Every Child in Wisconsin Starts School Ready to Learn
School meals play an important role in helping to ensure that every child in Wisconsin starts school ready to learn. As the Child Nutrition Organizer, Tamira Rasco works to increase participation in federal nutrition programs in our schools through outreach, organizing, education and by eliminating hurdles standing between kids having access to nutritious, free school meals.
Hmong American students find their roots in the School Garden through “Cooking with Culture”
This summer, Hunger Task Force piloted the “Cooking with Culture” initiative, a multi-grade nutrition program that taught students from the Hmong community about healthy eating. Students were introduced to harvesting vegetables from the School Garden and preparing their own meals in the education kitchen.
Fall 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: Dina Karim | September 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 Supporting More Children and Families Through WIC CIAO Grant
Hunger Task Force hosted a Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Roundtable Discussion at Ascension Ebenezer Health Resource Center. The roundtable discussion served as the kick-off to Hunger Task Force’s $220,760 grant to implement a WIC Community Innovation and Outreach Project (WIC CIAO).
‘I feel thankful’: Family of seven shares how important free school meals are as kids head back to class
As you can imagine, providing for six children comes with quite the price tag. That’s why the Valentine family benefits from a school program where they’re provided free meals in school. It’s called the Community Eligibility Provision. With resources from the Hunger Task Force, students are able to receive free meals and snacks throughout the day.
Local Seniors Look for Solutions After Badger Box Funding Ends
The Badger Box program – a pandemic-era resource – is ending, leaving thousands of people across Wisconsin looking for new solutions. The Badger Box program started during the pandemic to help Wisconsinites keep food on the table. Earlier this year, the Wisconsin legislature voted down a measure that would add Badger Box funding to the state budget.
“Meal Mates” Pilot Program Provides Healthy Takeaway Options for Families in Need
Prepacked with a mix of MyPlate-friendly food, “Meal Mates” are a supplemental option that have been well received by both Summer Meal sites as well as organizations across the Hunger Task Force emergency food network. Made possible by a Kohls Hometown Partner grant, the Meal Mates pilot program helps to fill gaps where federal funding falls short and meal providers are benefitted by a healthy, on-the-go option.
Volunteer of the Month: Ned Goede | August 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 Receives $100,000 Kubota Hometown Proud Grant, Asks for Local Community Votes for Chance to Double Its Winnings
The Kubota Hometown Proud Grant will help to purchase much-needed equipment for The Farm, specifically a greens harvester to boost distribution capacity of healthy greens by 600%. If awarded the 2023 Community Choice grant, and earning another $100,000, Hunger Task Force will also be able to purchase a corn harvester and produce bin washer, which will allow them to grow more produce and improve their food safety practices.
Harvest Box Program Brings Fresh Wisconsin Produce to Local Seniors
Just one of the many farms growing fresh fruits and vegetables for the Harvest Box, J.L. Produce is a family farm located in Richfield, WI – just 5 miles from Holy Hill. Run by Vang Thao and her husband, this 4.5 acre operation grows dozens of healthy fruits and vegetables typically sold at local farmers’ markets in Waukesha County and northern Illinois.
Artists Wanted! Seeking submissions for 2023 Holiday Card program
The Hunger Task Force annual Holiday Card program is a festive tradition – every card sent and received helps put food on the table for local families, children and seniors. Hunger Task Force is looking for creative, festive, secular designs that focus on togetherness, connectivity and winter traditions.
Big Grant to Feed Little Kids: Hunger Task Force Receives WIC CIAO Grant
Thanks to a special WIC Community Innovation and Outreach grant (WIC CIAO, for short) from the USDA through the Food Research & Action Center, Hunger Task Force will be able to focus more resources on making sure our community’s most vulnerable kids have access to healthy food and formula. Hunger Task Force’s project was one of a handful selected nationally to carry out this important outreach.
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, Outreach and Nutrition teams. We are thrilled to welcome Aretha, Maja and Melanie to their new roles at Hunger Task Force.
Volunteer of the Month: Linda Kollatz | July 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 Energizes Fight Against Hunger with Solar Installation
Hunger Task Force is proud to announce the successful installation and connection of their 89-kilowatt solar array. The solar panels, installed by Arch Solar, have transformed Hunger Task Force’s facility into an energy-efficient hub, enabling them to focus more on their mission of ending hunger in the community.
Hunger Task Force Summer 2023 Newsletter now available online
Click to explore this convenient, digital version of the Hunger Task Force Summer 2023 Newsletter! Read about what’s growing at The Farm this summer, the expansion of the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, free Summer Meals for local kids and teens, the launch of the Harvest Box and more!
Summer 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.
Meet Up And Eat Up, Milwaukee! 2023 Summer Meals Program Provides Daily Meals to Kids, Teens and Families
Meet Up And Eat Up sites throughout Milwaukee provide structured, educational and recreational programs to ensure kids have nutritious meals and a place to learn and play. All locations with “Meet Up And Eat Up” signs are safe, supervised places for children to receive up to three meals per day!
Block Out Hunger Campaign Leads to $20,150 Gift from Cousins Subs
Wrapping up its eighth season, the Block Out Hunger campaign pledges that for every block the Bucks tally during the regular season, the Cousins Subs Make It Better Foundation donates $50 to Hunger Task Force to help fight food insecurity across the state. This season, the Bucks completed 403 blocks for a total of $20,150 donated to Hunger Task Force.
Volunteer of the Month: Baird | June 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 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.