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RECENT NEWS
Hunger Task Force News & Features
Hunger Next Door photo exhibit continues tour through Wisconsin communities
Hunger Next Door is a Hunger Task Force photo project that illustrates the reality of hunger in our community. While the project debuted back in 2014, the photo exhibit has been steadily in rotation for the last seven years and has been seen by countless community members, students, civic leaders, legislators and anti-hunger partners along the way.
Potawatomi’s Heart of Canal Street gifts $100,000 to Hunger Task Force and other organizations
Hunger Task Force was joined by four local organizations – Running Rebels, Digital Bridge, Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center and Journey House – to receive donations for outstanding service to children and families during the pandemic. Each received a generous $100,000 gift from Heart of Canal Street. In all, more than half a million dollars were distributed through the program this season.
Raymond James’ Gary Sievewright discusses corporate engagement and personal commitment to Hunger Task Force
Early in his finance career, Gary Sievewright was taught by a mentor that you work hard, and you give back to your community. Now, as Senior Vice President of Investments and Complex Manager for Wisconsin at Raymond James & Associates, Sievewright has continued to live his live by this code. His passion for anti-hunger work has led him to be a vocal corporate advocate for Hunger Task Force for nearly 15 years.
Hunger Task Force Winter 2021 Newsletter now available online
Explore this convenient, digital version of the Hunger Task Force Winter 2021 Newsletter! Read about the commitment to diversity and assuring inclusion at our two FoodShare resource centers, the return of the annual Home 4 The Holidays and Lend a Helping Ham programs, an update to our Mobile Market discount and winter plans at the Hunger Task Force Farm.
Volunteer couple enjoys range of opportunities to serve at Hunger Task Force
Pat and Jay Mierendorf have served with Hunger Task Force for nearly 30 years. The pair choose to live by the mantra of: There are two kinds of people in the world – 1) those that need help and 2) those that give help. “Since we don’t need help right now,” shares Pat, “we want to be the people that give help.”
Hunger Task Force Mobile Market featured nationally on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt
Hunger Task Force and our Mobile Market partnership with Piggly Wiggly was featured nationally on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. We are excited to share this “grocery store on wheels” model more broadly and are steadfast in our commitment to providing fresh options to food deserts – areas with limited access to affordable and healthy foods.
Student DoorDash Program provides students learning remotely with nutritious home-delivery meal boxes
Hunger Task Force, in partnership with United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County and DoorDash, recently launched the Student DoorDash Program – a pilot program providing weekly deliveries of non-perishable food items to families with students in the WAWM Deeper Learning Virtual Academy.
Hunger Task Force rolls out Stockbox program to new Wisconsin county with aid of delivery “spokes-person”
Hunger Task Force recently began partnering with Trevor Roark, Owner and Piot of Curbwise LLC – a bicycle-powered delivery service – to “roll out” the new Stevens Point delivery area for the Senior Stockbox Program. Now, Roark will be pedaling on each month through all kinds of weather, providing seniors with the most important necessity – healthy food from Hunger Task Force.
Stories of Those Who Served: Hunger Task Force Honors Veterans
November 11 is Veterans Day, and Hunger Task Force honors those who are serving, or have served, in the Armed Forces. In line with our core values – Justice, Compassion, Stewardship and Justice – Hunger Task Force extends our deepest gratitude to clients, staff, donors and volunteers who have served our country.
Stories of Those Who Served: Hunger Task Force Honors Veterans – Martin McGee, Inventory Control Manager
November 11 is Veterans Day, and Hunger Task Force honors those who are serving, or have served, in the Armed Forces. In line with our core values – Justice, Compassion, Stewardship and Justice – Hunger Task Force extends our deepest gratitude to clients, staff, donors and volunteers who have served our country.
Stories of Those Who Served: Hunger Task Force Honors Veterans – Claire Lederhaus, Volunteer
November 11 is Veterans Day, and Hunger Task Force honors those who are serving, or have served, in the Armed Forces. In line with our core values – Justice, Compassion, Stewardship and Justice – Hunger Task Force extends our deepest gratitude to clients, staff, donors and volunteers who have served our country.
Q&A with Fue Xiong, FoodShare Supervisor at Alicia’s Place Resource Center
Hunger Task Force provides one-on-one FoodShare (food stamp) assistance to tens of thousands of people. In 2021, Hunger Task Force opened the second FoodShare Resource Center, and the first on Milwaukee’s north side. Named “Alicia’s Place” after one of the first...
Sargento and Hunger Task Force Partner with the Milwaukee Brewers to raise $60,000 to feed those in need
As part of the Double Helping for Hunger campaign, for every double hit by the Brewers, Sargento Foods Inc. donated $200 to Hunger Task Force to help feed those in need this holiday season. After 258 doubles hit by the team in 2021, $51,600 was donated to the Milwaukee Food bank on behalf of the Brewers.
Exciting changes for the Mobile Market – New Driver. New Schedule. New Discount!
The Mobile Market is a grocery store on wheels that travels throughout Milwaukee County, visiting communities with little to no access to fresh foods. With help from a federal grant, Hunger Task Force discount all groceries purchased at the Mobile Market. Recently, the discount was doubled from 25% to 50% on all items.
Rock group Widespread Panic returns to Milwaukee, continuing tradition of ‘feeding people through music’
Hunger Task Force has partnered with Widespread Panic since 2013 —a total of 25 concerts—to raise funds and food for Milwaukee’s hungry. In total, fans and the band have raised nearly $20,000 through auctions, tabling events and virtual food drives to support the Hunger Task Force mission.
Volunteer Jill Valuch reflects on 25-years of service at Hunger Task Force
When Jill Valuch’s children needed volunteer hours to fulfil the community service requirement at their high school, she got connected with Hunger Task Force. Jill was drawn to the organization and noted that finding an opportunity to fit her interest and skills was a...
Hunger Relief Federation receives support from the Tavern League of Wisconsin
This week, the Hunger Relief Federation received generous support from the Tavern League of Wisconsin (TLW). The league’s $3,185 gift will be used to provide scholarships to Federation members for the 2022 Hunger Relief Federation Conference being planned for next fall.
Meet the Artist: Mariet Bejarano – Holiday Cards 2021
Mariet Bejarano was born and raised in Milwaukee. She is currently a graduate student at Marquette University studying Digital Communication Strategies. Mariet has been drawing since she was young and is inspired by children’s books. Mariet enjoys creating in all forms of digital art including video, graphic design and digital illustration.
Meet the Artist: Joe Meinecke – Holiday Cards 2021
Joe Meinecke is a Producer for the Milwaukee Radio Group and amateur photographer from Muskego, WI. His love of photography goes all the way back to high school. In the past several years, nature, landscapes and birds have been Joe’s chosen subjects. Many of Joe’s photos have also been featured by the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center.
Meet the Artist: Robb Helf – Holiday Cards 2021
Robb Helf is an artist and illustrator from Cedarburg, WI specializing in oil, acrylic, pen, watercolor and charcoal. His pieces have received awards from the Society of News Design, the Wisconsin Newspaper Association and the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. He is a graduate of Carroll University in Waukesha, WI with a degree in Commercial Art.
With the 2021 harvest season coming to a close, Hunger Task Force plans ahead at The Farm
The Hunger Task Force Farm is a substantial source of fruits and vegetables for the local network of emergency food pantries and meal programs served by Hunger Task Force. The Farm has been around since 1839 and has seen an end to the harvest hundreds of times. This period, marked by cooling weather and final days in the field, ushers in winter planning and budgeting for the next season.
‘Summer Meals’ provides 200k+ summertime meals for children in 2021
Summertime is a peak season for childhood hunger as students go without meals they would normally receive at school. To combat summer hunger, the federal Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides nutritious meals to children aged 18 or younger during the summer months. Hunger Task Force administers the SFSP in such a large and inclusive way that it’s often dubbed the “Milwaukee Model.”
Hunger Task Force honors Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Casey Gott reflects on family heritage
Gott came to Hunger Task Force with a background in non-profit work at a variety of mission-driven organizations. Most recently, she worked as a substitute teacher at the Indian Community School (ICS), a private, faith-based school serving approximately 361 intertribal American Indian students from fifteen different tribal backgrounds.
Hunger Task Force Fall 2021 Newsletter now available online
Explore this convenient, digital version of the Hunger Task Force Fall 2021 Newsletter! Read about our bountiful harvest season at The Farm, the innovative Stockbox DoorDash program for seniors, continued advocacy work across the state and how YOU can support the Hunger Task Force Mission virtually this holiday season.
Anthem Foundation announces $100,000 gift to support Hunger Task Force MyPlate program
As part of their commitment to improving lives and communities through strategic programs, the Anthem Foundation announced a $100,000 gift to support the Hunger Task Force’s MyPlate program.
Hunger Task Force kicks off annual ‘Food For Families’ holiday food drive
It’s time for the 2022 True Inspiration Awards at Chick-fil-A, and Hunger Task Force is a finalist! The True Inspiration Awards™ program was created in 2015 to honor the legacy of Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy. Through these annual grants, we are proud to celebrate and support nonprofit organizations who are Black-led or serve communities of color and who are working in the areas of education, hunger or homelessness.
Hunger Task Force invests in network partners
This fall, an extra $500,000 of funding through The Emergency Food Assistance Program was made available to build capacity in the emergency food network so programs could take on more food and operate safely during no-contact distributions. Hunger Task Force invested 100% of these federal funds into our network, purchasing over 600 items including transit vans, refrigerators, freezers, pallet jacks, racks, PPE supplies, tables and more.
Stockbox DoorDash eases hardship of grocery shopping for Milwaukee senior
For Elizabeth Blake, getting to the grocery store is becoming a challenge. Relying on a cane for mobility, Blake notes her monthly shopping trip has become a significant hardship, “I get to the grocery store about once a month because getting around is so hard for me.”
Volunteer Coordinator taps into time and talents of community
Since welcoming back volunteers earlier this year, nearly 3,000 volunteers have rolled up their sleeves to offer assistance. As Volunteer Coordinator, Julia Prange connects groups and individuals to the Hunger Task Force mission, offering opportunities to give back.
Hunger Task Force moves food bank operations to new headquarters
Hunger Task Force recently transitioned all food bank operations to the new headquarters located at 5000 W. Electric Avenue in West Milwaukee. With fresh walls shaping new spaces the 120,000 square foot building is under an immense transformation.
Hunger Task Force named finalist for True Inspiration Award grant
It’s time for the 2022 True Inspiration Awards at Chick-fil-A, and Hunger Task Force is a finalist! The True Inspiration Awards™ program was created in 2015 to honor the legacy of Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy. Through these annual grants, we are proud to celebrate and support nonprofit organizations who are Black-led or serve communities of color and who are working in the areas of education, hunger or homelessness.
Urgent Appeal for Afghan guests in Fort McCoy
Hunger Task Force is partnering with the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition (MMWC) to assist Afghan refugees. MMWC reached out to Hunger Task Force with an urgent request to act as a drop off site for donations of clothing, food and other items to assist Afghan refugees arriving at Fort McCoy. Although there will only be up to 500 Afghan guests (refugees) eventually resettled in Wisconsin there are thousands that are being processed in Fort McCoy.
Waukesha School Board Votes To Feed All Students
Schools play a critical role in feeding children. For many students, food they receive at school may be the only nutritional meal they’ll receive that day. The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) has historically ensured that income-eligible students are able to receive meals free of charge or at a reduced rate.
Hunger Task Force invests in emergency food network
This fall, an extra $500,000 of funding through The Emergency Food Assistance Program was made available to build capacity in the emergency food network so programs could take on more food and operate safely during no-contact distributions.
Hunger Relief Federation welcomes new Field Organizer
With a background in canvassing, case management and campaign organizing, Matthew Grover comes to Hunger Task Force with a wealth of experience in coordinating groups and expanding coalition strategy.