Advocacy

Advocacy

Hunger Task Force works to end future hunger through advocacy—standing up for those who can’t stand alone. Advocacy is identifying problems and advancing policy solutions through research, public pressure, coalitions and direct lobbying. Advocacy is also identifying and organizing champions to raise their voices to make positive change.

We work with elected officials and government agencies to strengthen and improve programs that feed families in our community, and elevate stories of champions to amplify the impact that policy changes have on hungry families.

Our Story

Hunger Task Force was founded in 1974 by a group of parent advocates to support a school breakfast program in Milwaukee Public Schools. That work continues today and is part of our Mission Statement: “We work to prevent hunger and malnutrition by providing food to people in need today and by promoting social policies to achieve a hunger free community tomorrow.”

How We Advocate

One of the most important ways we work to end hunger is working with elected officials, government agencies and citizen advocates to strengthen and improve important food security programs on the national, state and local level. These programs—including the FoodShare program; Women, Infants and Children; School Meals; Summer Meals; and senior nutrition programs—feed families in our community and make sure our champions have the chance to raise their voices to make positive change and end hunger in Wisconsin.

How YOU Can Advocate

Anyone can be an advocate by speaking up about important issues. We need your help to feed hungry families in Milwaukee, throughout Wisconsin and nationwide!

CONTACT US

Dr. Reno Wright

Advocacy Director

[email protected]

Ashley Best

Community Nutrition Program Coordinator

[email protected]

Allen Castillo

FoodShare Program Manager

[email protected]

Pasua Chang

Cultural Foods Coordinator

[email protected]

Carmen Delvalle

FoodShare Supervisor – Robles Center

[email protected]

Melanie Foland

Child Nutrition Educator

[email protected]

Tosha Freeman

WIC Outreach Manager

[email protected]

Tammy Keen

FoodShare Supervisor – Marcia P. Coggs Center

[email protected]

Mark Lisowski

Hunger Relief Federation Organizer

[email protected]

Brandon Savage

Hunger Relief Federation Manager

[email protected]

Fue Xiong

FoodShare Supervisor – Alicia’s Place

[email protected]

ADVOCACY NEWS & FEATURES:

Nominations Open! 2024 School Breakfast Champion

We want to show some love to the everyday champions who make school breakfast possible for kids. It takes a village - teachers, principals, superintendents, custodians, cafeteria staff, advocates - the list goes on. We want to hear from you! Is there someone in your...

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Replacement for FoodShare Benefits

Current FoodShare members who lose food purchased with FoodShare benefits due to a flood, a fire, or other household misfortune, can request the replacement benefits from the State. Per the FoodShare handbook, a loss of power for four (4) hours or more can qualify as...

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Winter 2024 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 the Fall 2023 edition of...

read more

Meet the new faces of Hunger Task Force

The principal strength of Hunger Task Force is its compassionate and committed staff. As an anti-hunger organization, Hunger Task Force commits to hiring staff with an array of skills, talents and the cultural competence to best serve our diverse community. Hunger...

read more

Meet the new faces of Hunger Task Force

The principal strength of Hunger Task Force is its compassionate and committed staff. As an anti-hunger organization, Hunger Task Force commits to hiring staff with an array of skills, talents and the cultural competence to best serve our diverse community. Hunger...

read more

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 the Fall 2023 edition of...

read more

Meet the new faces of Hunger Task Force

The principal strength of Hunger Task Force is its compassionate and committed staff. As an anti-hunger organization, Hunger Task Force commits to hiring staff with an array of skills, talents and the cultural competence to best serve our diverse community. Hunger...

read 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 the Summer 2023 edition...

read more

Meet the new faces of Hunger Task Force

The principal strength of Hunger Task Force is its compassionate and committed staff. As an anti-hunger organization, Hunger Task Force commits to hiring staff with an array of skills, talents and the cultural competence to best serve our diverse community. Hunger...

read more

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 the Spring 2023 edition...

read more

Speaking Your Language for Help

Working full-time with two young boys, a child on the way and a child off at college, Sue Vang understands the value and support that family and community members have in each other's lives. Seven years ago, when Sue was in need of resources for her family, she...

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A Uniquely Wisconsin Solution to Hunger

Located in Spooner, Wisconsin, Chieftain Wild Rice and Rice River Farms is a family-owned business, producing its distinctive, high-quality wild rice since 1957. Jill Dahlstorm, the president and second-generation owner, has been around the business since she was a...

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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...

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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 the Winter 2023 edition...

read more

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...

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Food is a Human Right: Hunger Persists in Wisconsin

Hunger persists in Wisconsin. Throughout the pandemic, a good deal of federal financial assistance streamed to states and communities to address the pandemic’s impact on unemployment, supply chain interruptions and inflation. Free food provided by charities won’t...

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203,752 Summertime Meals Served to Local Kids in 2022

Summertime is peak season for childhood hunger as students go without meals they would normally receive at school. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), also known as the Summer Meals Program, provides kids and teens in...

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Fall 2022 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 the Fall 2022 edition of...

read more

Hunger Task Force Welcomes USDA Deputy Under Secretary

Hunger Task Force hosted the United States Department of Agriculture’s Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean during her two-day visit to Milwaukee on September 12 and 13. Deputy Under Secretary Dean was appointed by President Biden to advance the President's agenda on...

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Summer 2022 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 the Summer 2022 edition...

read more

Spring 2022 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 the Spring 2022 edition...

read more

Winter 2022 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 the Winter 2022 edition...

read more

Nutrition Education Team shares favorite holiday recipes

Hunger Task Force operates a robust nutrition education program to educate students, parents, and the public about healthy eating on a budget. We don’t just feed our community—we also educate our students, seniors and families about healthy eating and the Hunger Task...

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Waukesha School Board Votes To Feed All Students

Schools play a critical role in feeding children. For many students, food they receive at school makes a substantial difference in their ability to learn and safeguards their health. The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) has historically ensured that...

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USDA Modernizes the Thrifty Food Plan, Updates SNAP Benefits

WASHINGTON, August 16, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released a re-evaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, used to calculate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. As a result, the average SNAP benefit – excluding additional...

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