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Hunger Task Force News & Features
FoodShare Advocate Qadir Shah Hotak Helps Refugees Feel at Home in Milwaukee
Having grown up in Afghanistan, Qadir understands firsthand the difficulty people face when establishing roots in a new country. In 2022, Qadir joined the team at Hunger Task Force to fill an important need. He is the only FoodShare Advocate of Afghan descent and who speaks the two official languages of Afghanistan.
Hunger Task Force Helps St. Joseph Food Program and Walworth County Food & Diaper Bank Go the Extra Mile
Capacity is key when it comes to serving the community. Hunger Task Force is pleased to have made it possible for St. Joseph Food Program and Walworth County Food & Diaper Bank to receive a new refrigerated truck to enable both organizations to provide more fresh food to neighbors in need than ever before.
Hunger Task Force and Milwaukee County Parks Innovative Partnership to Reduce Food Insecurity in Milwaukee
Guy Smith, executive director of the Milwaukee County Parks, and Matt King, associate director and incoming CEO of Hunger Task Force, discussed the nearly 20-year partnership between the organizations to tackle hunger and promote environmental health in the city.
Hunger Task Force’s Sherrie Tussler’s nontraditional approach to fighting hunger
For the last 26 years, Sherrie Tussler has served the city and state by leading efforts to end hunger in Wisconsin as the CEO of the Hunger Task Force. Tussler, who is retiring in June, said her goal has been the same since she started in her role as CEO: to defend people against hunger.
Hunger Task Force and Palermo’s Pizza Distribute 600 “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 600 families in need who will be recipients of the Easter Boxes and coordinated a drive-thru distribution at the new West Milwaukee headquarters.
Partner of the Month: West Allis Health Department
At Hunger Task Force, we know that access to nutritious food is a cornerstone of health and well-being. That’s why we’re thrilled to recognize the West Allis Health Department as our Partner of the Month for March 2024! This month, we’d like to especially highlight the successful series of hands-on cooking demonstrations we’ve co-hosted in our McCarty Education Kitchen.
Joe and Joyce Ellwanger Are the Passionate Couple Behind Hunger Task Force
Joe and Joyce Ellwanger, the passionate couple behind the creation of Hunger Task Force, initiated the organization’s journey in the 1970s by establishing a free breakfast program for students in Milwaukee’s low-income neighborhoods.
Marquette Free Throws Score Money for Charity
Free throws are making a difference off the court, for each one made by the Marquette men’s and women’s teams during the regular season, a $5 donation will be made to Hunger Task Force. Announcers sometime call the free throw line “the charity stripe,” that term is now literal thanks to the partnership with Johnson Controls, according to Breanna Holly, Senior Director of Corporate Philanthropy.
Empowering Women Leaders at the Hunger Task Force Farm: Celebrating Our Sarah’s on International Women’s Day
This International Women’s Day, we’re doubling the impact of “Sarahs” at the Hunger Task Force Farm. Let’s celebrate the remarkable leadership of not one but two outstanding women, Sarah Bressler, Farm Manager and Sarah Christman, Farm Produce Manager, who are breaking barriers in the male-dominated field of agriculture.
Hunger Task Force and Salvation Army Oak Creek Partner to Provide Nutritious Foods to Residents in Milwaukee’s Southern Suburbs
For more than 21 years, Hunger Task Force and Salvation Army Oak Creek have been working together to combat food insecurity in Milwaukee’s southern suburbs of Oak Creek, Greendale, Greenfield, Franklin and Hales Corners. In fact, nearly 50% of the food on pantry shelves is from Hunger Task Force.
Hunger Task Force Celebrates 2024 Wisconsin School Breakfast Champions
This year, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, School Nutrition Association of Wisconsin, Hunger Task Force, and No Kid Hungry Wisconsin are thrilled to recognize nine Breakfast Champions across the Badger state! As we dive into National School Breakfast Week (March 4-8), we want to recognize ALL of the individuals that go above and beyond to ensure that students start their day equipped with all of the tools they need to learn.
ARPA Support Fuels Growth and Efficiency at Wisconsin Food Pantries
Nestled in the heart of Pepin County, the Durand Area Food Pantry has been a beacon of hope for families facing hunger since the 1980s. Led by dedicated administrator Marcia Bauer, the pantry has not only weathered the pandemic storm but also emerged stronger thanks to its membership in the Hunger Relief Federation of Wisconsin and the transformative power of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
Volunteer of the Month: Cheryl Latham
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.
Match Madness MKE Tips off on March 1, Double Your Dollar to End Hunger
Match Madness MKE, benefitting Hunger Task Force, tips off today. The spring gift-matching campaign supports hunger relief for children and families in Milwaukee County. For those looking to score big, every donation to Hunger Task Force during Match Madness MKE, held March 1 – 10, is doubled dollar-for-dollar.
Hunger Task Force Fosters Dignity and Connection through FoodShare Support
Ivette Rivera Soto, a 64-year-old retired teacher’s assistant living in Greenfield, knows the delicate dance of balancing budget, health, and family. Since connecting in July of 2020, Carmen Delvalle, FoodShare Advocate at Hunger Task Force, has helped Ivette navigate the intricacies of the FoodShare program and helped her receive, at the height of the pandemic, up to $204 a month in FoodShare benefits to spend on groceries and shop with dignity.
Toolkit Available! 2023-2024 NSBW School Breakfast Celebration
Wisconsin is celebrating School Breakfast this week and every week! School Breakfast is the most important school supply children can have access to! In this toolkit, we’ve gathered tools, templates, language and images that can be used in Wisconsin to celebrate School Breakfast during National School Breakfast Week (and any other time of the year.)
Alicia’s Place FoodShare Resource Center continues its community impact
About a quarter of a million people living in Milwaukee County rely on the FoodShare program and many people need help getting the access they need. Alicia’s Place FoodShare Resource Center has been a vital part of the community since 2021. Located at 4144 North 56th Street in Midtown Center, low-income families are welcome to get the help they need. It’s one of two FoodShare benefits outreach offices.
Jim Luther New Hope Center Food Pantry and Hunger Task Force Partner to Increase Access to Culturally Relevant Food in Milwaukee
Jim Luther New Hope Center Food Pantry, a member of Hunger Task Force’s pantry network, has experienced a nearly 50% increase in traffic since September 2023. To help the pantry properly serve Milwaukee residents in need, Hunger Task Force provides culturally relevant pantry staples which make up nearly one-third of the total food the pantry distributes monthly.
Buy-A-Bag Program Makes a Difference: Outpost Donates Over 80,000 Pounds of Non-Perishables and Produce
The Hunger Task Force is thrilled to announce a recent generous donation from Outpost Natural Foods Co-op through their Buy-A-Bag program! This incredible contribution of over 80,000 pounds of food will help nourish countless families facing hunger in our community.
For low-income seniors, getting healthy food is a challenge. Hunger Task Force uses DoorDash to help.
Monthly Stockboxes from Hunger Task Force fill a crucial gap in nutrition for local seniors. Nearly 11,000 people in the Milwaukee area receive a monthly Stockbox. Those who don’t get the boxes from a DoorDash driver pick them up at senior dining sites or at subsidized senior living facilities.
Valery Buechner Helped Hunger Task Force Become a TEFAP Administrator
Hunger Task Force is the long-standing, trusted administrator of the USDA commodity foods program – The Emergency Food Assistance Program. In 1998 Valery Buechner held a pivotal role in Wisconsin as the administrator of this program.
Unlocking Resources, Preserving Dignity: The Crucial Role of Pantry Intake Conversations
Pantry intake interviews, though potentially uncomfortable, are crucial for understanding client needs and connecting them with vital resources like FoodShare and WIC. Effective intake practices not only alleviate immediate hunger but also empower clients and strengthen pantries in the long run.
Guy Smith is Helping Plant Seeds of Change: Hunger Task Force and Milwaukee County Park’s Win-Win Partnership
Guy Smith has been a driving force in cultivating a healthier, more equitable Milwaukee by directly addressing food insecurity, promoting environmental stewardship and fostering vibrant community centers through parks. His leadership played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between Hunger Task Force’s vision and Milwaukee County’s resources.
Partner of the Month: Richards Elementary School
We are deeply grateful for Richards Elementary’s unwavering partnership. This February, we’re spotlighting Richards Elementary, our Partner of the Month! They ignite a passion for service in the next generation. Through their food drives, they’ve collected a remarkable 2,300 pounds of healthy food and over $12,000 since 2022.
Use Your Voice! Ensure WIC Stays Strong for Milwaukee Families
The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program that provides special supplemental nutrition for mothers, infants and families is in jeopardy of not being fully funded for 2024.
Gus Gnorski’s Enduring Impact: A Veteran Reporter’s Legacy Covering Hunger Task Force from Newsrooms to Neighborhoods
In the vibrant landscape of Milwaukee media, August “Gus” Gnorski carved out a distinguished career as a community reporter, leaving an indelible mark during his four decades in the industry. Over 22 years at TMJ4 and an additional 18 at FOX 6, Gus not only reported on local stories but also emerged as a passionate advocate for ending hunger in the community.
Hunger Task Force 2023 Annual Report now available online
Explore this convenient, digital version of the Hunger Task Force 2023 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 2023 in our Annual Report!
Hunger Task Force, Kohl’s Hold Cooking Class to Celebrate the Organization’s $1.5 Million Donation
Kohl’s made a $1.5 million commitment to us over two years to support the purchase and distribution of healthy foods – in compliance with the USDA’s MyPlate Plan – at our partner network across the greater Milwaukee area in addition to providing kids with healthy options through the Summer Meals program.
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, Operations and Administration teams. We are thrilled to welcome Tosha, Jess and Tylene to their new roles at Hunger Task Force.
From Pallet to Pantry: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Healthy Food Procurement
As the Food Procurement Manager at Hunger Task Force, Kyle develops and leads a strategic approach to the agency’s food procurement, assuring an array of healthy foods are offered to our network of food pantries, meal sites and homeless shelters.
Hunger Task Force Farm – Small Acres, Big Productivity
Pam Jahnke visits with Sarah Bressler, Farm Manager for the Hunger Task Force’s 208 acre property in Franklin, WI. It’s land leased for 30 years in partnership with Milwaukee County. Bressler said they produced a record 411,000 pounds of fresh vegetables and produce they’ll distribute to food pantries.
Volunteer(s) of the Month: Cathie & Dennis Slater
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.
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 Administration, Communications and Advocacy teams. We are thrilled to welcome Dishu, Kate and Reno to their new roles at Hunger Task Force.
WISN 12 Features the Importance of Volunteering at Hunger Task Force
WISN 12 is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a promise of more service to the community. We’re expanding our commitment to the Hunger Task Force, and each month, we’ll focus on a need and a call to action. In January, the spotlight is on volunteering. It’s the engine of the Hunger Task Force, and they say the time is now to join in their quest to keep Milwaukee’s most vulnerable people fed.
Two food organizations team up to provide ‘Stockboxes’ for seniors
The term “no one should go to bed hungry” is a statement that the Hunger Task Force and The Neighbors’ Place have taken seriously. The two organizations began their ‘Stockbox’ program as a way to ensure that low-income seniors receive healthy food every month.