Milwaukee’s Hunger Task Force Launches Virtual Food Drive
Milwaukee is stepping up to fight hunger with the Home 4 the Holidays Virtual Food Drive. This online initiative, run by TMJ4 in partnership with the Hunger Task Force and Raymond James, aims to fill food pantries across Wisconsin just in time for the holiday season.
You can head over to the Hunger Task Force website and choose from a variety of holiday food items to donate. Each dollar you contribute will go directly to nearly 70 emergency food pantries, meal sites, and shelters throughout the state.
Mardi Smirl, community relations manager for Hunger Task Force, shared her thoughts: “Every dollar helps us buy the food we need to support our community.”
Rising Demand for Food Assistance
The need for food assistance is on the rise. Kelli Hirt, director of Wisconsin Food and Nutrition Services, mentioned that her pantry alone serves about 600 individuals monthly, and the numbers have grown over the past year. With increasing costs of living, many are forced to choose between food and other essentials.
“People are often caught in tough decisions,” Hirt noted. “We want to provide healthy foods to fill the gaps.”
Nicole Williams, a pantry assistant, sees the struggles firsthand and has created cookbooks to help visitors make the most of what they receive. “It’s a way to reduce stress and promote healthy eating,” she explained. Her efforts not only benefit the shoppers but also allow her to connect with them better.
The Bigger Picture
Food is crucial for health, and many experts agree that access to nutritious meals is a basic human right. An alarming statistic from the USDA indicates that about 10.5% of U.S. households faced food insecurity in 2021, highlighting the ongoing challenge of hunger. The situation is exacerbated by rising costs in everyday life, forcing many to rely on local food pantries.
The community’s support is vital. Williams emphasized that no donation is too small—every bit counts.
This virtual food drive runs throughout December, making it easier than ever to help out. Contributions made now will not only aid those in need during the holidays but will also extend help well into the new year.
In these challenging times, initiatives like the Home 4 the Holidays drive remind us that together, we can make a significant impact in our community.
For more information, you can visit the Hunger Task Force page.
