LEADING AS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE - PANDEMIC PIVOT: Hunger ...
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HUNGER EMERGENCY RES ...OUR CREATIVITY AND 'LET'S GET IT DONE' ATTITUDE ASSURED THAT SENIORS, CHILDREN, PEOPLE OF COLOR AND THE NEWLY UNEMPLOYED GOT THE HELP THEY NEEDED.
ESPONSE IN A PANDEMIC A NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR At the outset of the pandemic, a got the help they needed. People friend reached out to see what not just in Milwaukee but all Hunger Task Force was doing. throughout the state were given My response was to reassure him: free emergency food, and then “We were made for this work.” assisted with finding long-term support through the FoodShare and Pandemic-EBT Programs. The assurance we have offered, smiling through our masks, has made a huge difference for the hungry, scared and lonely people we help. After months of greeting the same folks, we have gotten to know their stories and their hardships. The food we give truly matters, but our dependability has had an important impact in a time where little seems stable. Little did I know just how hard Your support of Hunger Task the work would be. After sending Force helped fuel our abilities. our volunteers home and directing Know that we are thankful for many of our staff to work your well wishes! Early on, remotely, we still needed to get someone put up a Heroes Work the food where it was needed most. Here sign at our front gate—an This meant parking lots across emotional gesture for all of us. town as well as rural communities Looking around at our staff, I across Wisconsin. It meant am proud and thankful. They sourcing and delivering food to are, indeed, heroes. meet a doubling of demand. Thank you for helping us be the This has been a year of strength, Hunger Task Force. fortitude and reassurance. As the days turned into weeks—and then into months—our creativity and “let’s get it done” attitude assured that seniors, children, people of Sherrie Tussler color and the newly unemployed Executive Director
RESPONDING TO INCRE T he COVID-19 Force and our pantry pandemic “During a pandemic year network stood together. challenged when so many of our outreach The network persevered Hunger Task guests suffered additional under the stress of the Force and the emergency food hardships, Hunger Task pandemic, and families, Force again proved its true pantry network in ways kids and seniors always partnership spirit. Hunger we never could have Task Force was there for received the help they imagined. us with extra food, patience needed. as we struggled with When the pandemic hit shut-downs, and great in March, local food moral support. On behalf pantries, soup kitchens of all those that we have and homeless shelters been able to serve, suddenly needed to pivot THANK YOU.” to outdoor, curbside or walk-up service. - Rosemary Murphy, Manager All Saints Catholic Church Food Pantry Many pantries needed to close down due to limited volunteer resources and increased need. At one map of all available foods to feed a family for point, the pantry network pantries and services a week. Our staff spent was operating at 53% in Milwaukee County. the earliest weeks of capacity. With program Our team provided daily the pandemic building a closures and many folks on-the-ground support, supply of 20,000 boxes, out of work seeking help, monitoring, PPE and which were distributed At year’s end, Hunger pantry visits increased emergency orders so to pantries throughout Task Force distributed by 30% during the months that partner programs the pandemic until more nearly 13 million pounds of April and May. could continue to serve. programs were able to of food to our local To provide more food to re-open and the network network—3 million more Hunger Task Force families in need, Hunger stabilized. pounds of food than last responded to the crisis Task Force developed year, or the equivalent of just as quickly. We the “Family Box,” which Through the toughest 78 semi-truckloads. launched an interactive contained enough healthy of times, Hunger Task 20,000 Even as pantry networks were operating at nearly half-capacity, the number of individual served increased March April May June July August Sept. 40,000 100% 100% pantry network capacity 2020 FAMILY BOXES 35,000 90% 30,000 80% DELIVERED 77% 70% 76% 72% 25,000 67% 60% 58% 57% 20,000 50% 15,000 40% HUNGER TASK FORCE CREATED FAMILY 10,000 30% BOXES AS A RESPONSE TO CONCERNS THAT THE EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY NETWORK 5,000 20% WOULD BE CRUSHED FROM INCREASED 10% NEED. BOXES PROVIDED HEALTHY FOOD FOR A FAMILY FOR ONE WEEK. individuals served in 2020 pantry network capacity 2020 {Pantry numbers decreased in May and June with the increase of Emergency FoodShare benefits for those two months. {
EASED NEED NETWORK WITHIN THE 13 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD DISTRIBUTED TO HUNGER TASK FORCE’S NETWORK. To ensure seniors’ continued to make its MEETING safety, Hunger Task Force began drive-thru monthly stops, and we helped seniors shop for SENIOR distributions at all their own groceries. Stockbox sites. These NEED drive-thrus were Hunger Task Force also contactless with no coupled several large In late March, 13 public paperwork. Hundreds of distributions—including senior centers closed vehicles drove through a July distribution in the down due to the some of our community’s Miller Park parking lot pandemic. Hunger Task largest senior centers, and that served nearly 2,000 Force serves over 8,000 Hunger Task Force staff seniors!—with $25 seniors each month were there to fill trunks Senior Farmers Market THAT’S NEARLY through the Stockbox with Stockboxes as well Vouchers. These key 30% MORE FOOD program, and we quickly changed tactics to provide as milk, meat, cheese and fresh produce from the resources helped seniors stay healthy and safe. THAN 2019 food to this vulnerable population. Hunger Task Force Farm. The Mobile Market Amount of Food Delivered 3M 2.5M 2M 1.5M 1M March April May June July August Sept. pounds delivered in 2019 pounds delivered in 2020
STRONG ADVOCACY LE E nding future hunger is folk for addiction disorders. Single possible in Wisconsin adults lost their benefits altogether, when existing and and seniors received $16 a month MAY JUNE JULY fully-funded federal in help. Often times the welfare nutrition programs are well run office was behind on processing ADVOCATING FOR EMERGENCY FOODSHARE and accessible. applications, answering the BENEFITS RESULTED IN MORE FOOD BUYING POWER telephone or responding to people Take the FoodShare Program for with little or no money for food. instance. This program provides SENIORS RECEIVING $16/MONTH funds on a debit card that people Since the pandemic work QUALIFIED FOR can use at the grocery store to buy foods that respect their diet, requirements have been lifted, the welfare office has become “virtual,” waiving in-person $204/MONTH interviews. The highest maximum allotment has been paid, giving seniors receiving $16/month up to $204/month in food buying help. Streamlining the process has helped many, and Hunger Task Force has been present as an active lobbyist for these simplifications. When schools closed and later stayed closed, families who relied on free or reduced-price school meals scrambled to feed school called Pandemic-EBT. This children from home. When program provides food buying Congress passed the Families First power on a debit card used at Coronavirus Response (CARES) Act, the grocery store. As a stay-at- Hunger Task Force partnered with home response, weekly, bilingual religion, health and culture. Prior Wisconsin’s Department of Health webinars were held for advocates to the pandemic, Wisconsin Services and Department of Public and families alike to provide established the lowest possible Instruction to provide education real-time answers to questions household payment, had work and outreach about a new federal about Pandemic-EBT statewide. requirements and was screening nutrition program to feed kids 350,000 AFTER THE PANDEMIC HIT IN MARCH OVER CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES 93,000 ADDITIONAL PEOPLE RECEIVED BENEFITS TO REPLACE MISSED ENROLLED FOR FOODSHARE SCHOOL MEALS (SNAP) BENEFITS
EADS COVID RESPONSE In late March, Hunger Task Force put together an online map of Milwaukee County Emergency Food Resources to show more than 180 service points of emergency food pantries, school distributions, meal sites, Stockbox distributions and Mobile Market stops. The map was updated daily and has been viewed nearly 223,000 times. 180 SERVICE POINTS OF EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITES 223,000 NUMBERS OF VIEWS BETWEEN MARCH - SEPT. 2020. Providing critical, timely information on emergency food availability was a true hallmark of our advocacy work this year. Early and quickly, Hunger Two new federal nutritional programs— Task Force established an on-line pandemic-ebt and emergency foodshare—proved interactive map that offered real critical for families struggling due to the pandemic. time information on the locations hunger task force conducted outreach to over and operating hours of pantries 225,000 and schools that remained open in service to the community. This required daily and weekly in-person check-ins with these organizations— many opening and closing as FAMILIES ACROSS WISCONSIN TO COVID exposures occurred. ENSURE THEY GAINED ACCESS TO THESE PROGRAMS
HUNGER RELIEF FEDER PROVIDING HUNGER RELIEF STATEWIDE food aggregators to deliver full truckloads of food to Wisconsin communities every week. Altogether, 3,417,092 pounds of milk, cheese and yogurt were In 6 months the Hunger Relief purchased from Wisconsin Federation members also H dairies and dairy cooperatives and distributed delivered to local communities. 3,417,092 unger Task Force Similarly, 14 million pounds of organizes the Hunger food boxes were leveraged to assist Relief Federation, a POUNDS emergency food distributions for diverse group of Free the rural poor, seniors, people of & Local anti-hunger partners color, migrants and immigrant across Wisconsin. The federation families and indigenous people. represents food banks, food OF MILK, CHEESE AND pantries, Tribal Nations and other As lead applicant for CARES YOGURT TO LOCAL COMMUNI- non-profit organizations that Act funds from the Wisconsin TIES STATEWIDE AS PART OF impact anti-hunger work in their Department of Agriculture Trade community. COVID-19 increased HUNGER TASK FORCE’S DAIRY and Consumer Protection, Hunger food insecurity in every corner of Task Force received $12.2 million RECOVERY PROGRAM our state, and many groups joined dollars in capacity building grants the Federation to get help with and Wisconsin Food Products food, funding, and support to build funds. Large delivery trucks, emergency food relief for their capacity to serve. cargo vans, fork trucks and households impacted by job pallet jacks were deployed so loss and school closures. Hunger Task Force directed the members could manage food donor resources for the rescue distributions more effectively. Looking forward, Hunger Task of Wisconsin dairy products and Ultimately, Wisconsin products Force will continue to provide arranged the logistics of the Dairy including dairy, beef, pork, apples, leadership, strategic support and Recovery Program beginning cherries, potatoes, beans, corn, direct help as needed to sustain in April. Later when the USDA peas, pheasants, bison and elk the partnerships we have built created a Farmers to Families Food were purchased and delivered and the effectiveness of each Box Program, Hunger Task Force to local communities to provide group in service to the hungry. leveraged relationships with
RATION OF WISCONSIN 50 Since the start of this pandemic, the Federation has grown by 132% AND NOW INCLUDES 116 MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS SERVING 72 COUNTIES AND 10 TRIBAL NATIONS FEDERATION MEMBERS RECEIVED NEW TRUCKS, COOLERS, Tribal Nations: Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa generators AND FREEZERS TO SUPPORT Indians | Ho-Chunk Nation | Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior THE GROWING NEED AND OPERATIONS Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin | Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians | Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin |Oneida Nation | Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians | Sokaogon Chippewa Community | Saint Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin | Stockbridge-Munsee Community Hunger Task Force helped to coordinate distribution of 9,195,280 POUNDS OF FOOD BOXES STATEWIDE THROUGH THE USDA FARMERS TO Hunger Task Force also supported FAMILIES PROGRAM THROUGH Free & Local partners locally with $332,949 ROUNDS 1 & 2, WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GOURMET GORILLA & GORDON FOOD SERVICES IN COOLERS, FREEZERS AND EQUIPMENT TO ORGANIZATIONS IN MILWAUKEE COUNTY
FARMING PANDEMIC IN A Farm staff took advantage of ENSURING FRESH PRODUCE good weather whenever possible, FOR HUNGRY FAMILIES working early mornings, late nights and most weekends to I ensure crops at The Farm n spring 2020, as The would grow and be harvested Farm prepared for another on schedule. Fortunately, 2020 season and COVID-19 cases was one of Hunger Task Force’s in the state started to rise, highest yield totals on record, in Hunger Task Force chose to spite of the bare bones team. cancel all volunteer activities in That yield included new records the interest of public health and in acorn squash, cabbage, safety. More than 6,000 annual cucumbers and lettuce. volunteers form the backbone of the labor force at the Hunger For the entire team at The Farm, Task Force Farm. Without the 2020 growing season was volunteers, a small group of the most challenging Hunger seasonal Farm hands were Task Force has faced. It was hired to assist full-time Farm also a crucial year for families staff in the significant task of throughout Milwaukee, with managing the approximately record need throughout the 200 acres of crops and natural spring and into the summer and areas that make up The Farm. fall. It was especially gratifying to have celebrated such a successful Despite these challenges, harvest during a year where the and with a lot of hard work, the need was also so great. Hunger Task Force Farm had an extremely productive season, The Farm pushed through growing and distributing almost notable in that eight Farm staff the challenges of the 2020 600,000 pounds of fresh fruits and five farm hands did the work season, but also eagerly awaits and vegetables in 2020! This normally carried out by more than the return of volunteers as soon milestone year was especially 6,000 volunteers. as it is safe to do so. DESPITE THE LOSS OF VOLUNTEERS, HUNGER TASK FORCE FARM PRODUCED 600,000+ POUNDS OF FRESH, NUTRITIOUS FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TO FEED THE HUNGRY
— KEEPING IT FRESH 20,000+ BINS OF WISCONSIN-GROWN PRODUCE “The 2020 growing season was one 70 ACRES of the most uniquely challenging seasons we have encountered as a team. While the growing conditions created an WERE PLANTED AND abundant harvest, the HARVESTED BY A MERE absence of volunteers due to the pandemic created a significant labor gap. 13 FARMERS AND FARM HANDS Meanwhile, the need in our community was greater than ever. It required an extraordinary commitment from our 22 TYPES OF FRESH FRUITS AND staff to get it all done, and I couldn’t be VEGETABLES HARVESTED more proud of them.” AND DISTRIBUTED - MATT KING Farm Director TO FAMILIES IN NEED
COMMUNITY STRONG W STANDS H unger Task Force needed the support of the local community “During this time, our more than ever in 2020. The partnership with Hunger Task Force has been critical. As we generous and heartfelt response have had to navigate changes in to the challenges of the pandemic was more how we serve our neighbors, than we ever could have imagined. Hunger Task Force continually provides the guidance and resources that we need to Thousands of individuals supported Hunger do this effectively and safely. Task Force in 2020. With an average gift of As need has increased in our $75, this support ranged from online donations community, we have been able to remain open and serve our through our COVID-19 Response webpage to the neighbors well in no small part gift of a stimulus check. Local foundations and due to the support we receive corporations stepped up to make leadership from Hunger Task Force.” gifts which purchased full truckloads of food - CATIE BOON and supported distribution costs so food could Church Engagement and City be delivered free of charge to families in need. Outreach Coordinator Anthem established a new signature partnership and helped keep the Mobile Market serving food deserts throughout the pandemic THE WINDHOVER FOUNDATION AND ADVOCATE AURORA HEALTH SUPPLIED THE VERY FIRST BATCHES OF PPE AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC TO HUNGER TASK FORCE TO PROTECT STAFF AND CLIENTS Toya Washington, WISN Reporter WISN 12 hosted a month-long online drive in April which raised over $666,890 from nearly CENTRAL STANDARD DISTILLERY CRAFTED A VODKA-BASED DISINFECTANT—TO HELP, 7,000 VIEWERS NOT TO DRINK—FOR HUNGER TASK FORCE
WITH HUNGER TASK FORCE Hunger Task Force is thankful for each individual and organization that came together to help us stand strong and feed local families during the pandemic. Outpost Natural Foods, Sargento and many more made leadership gifts to provide milk, cheese and yogurt through the Dairy Recovery Program. City Lights Brewing crafted “Essential Pilsner” and proceeds from beer sales supported hungry families Like most events, Milwaukee’s summer festivals were canceled due to the pandemic and had to pivot. Both Summerfest and State Fair pulled together to partner with Hunger Task Force for drive-thru donation events in exchange for tickets to the 2021 events. SARGENTO CHEESE DONATED 6 MASSIVE TRUCKLOADS OF CHEESE STICKS IN MAY AND JUNE, WHICH AMOUNTED TO ALMOST 750,000 POUNDS 8,600 POUNDS OR 15.8 MILLION STICKS OF FOOD DONATED! $26,000 AND OF CHEESE 4,500 POUNDS OF FOOD DONATED! FEEDING THE MOST VULNERABLE 100% Hunger Relief Fund of Wisconsin is volunteer administrator of the a federation of anti-hunger agencies Hunger Relief Fund through both working to provide nutritious food staff and services, and raised money to those who need it most: families, for member charities through public OF YOUR DONATION kids and seniors. This year, the employee giving campaigns. There FEEDS YOUR Hunger Relief Fund played a crucial of are no membership fees or service COMMUNITY support during the COVID-19 pandemic, charges required of member agencies, providing funds for the purchase of meaning that 100% of your donation food, distribution and emergency feeds your community. operations. Hunger Task Force is the
DAIRY RECOVERY PROGRAM A CRITICAL LIFELINE H unger Task Force initially committed $1M to purchase Wisconsin dairy products, thanks to generous community support. Dairy farmers statewide received a fair price for their milk, and the Dairy Recovery Program played a crucial role in helping some Wisconsin dairy cooperatives avoid bankruptcy. Chalet Cheese Cooperative, Cedar Grove Cheese, Yodelay Yogurt, Sassy Cow Creamery, Rolling Hills Not only did Hunger Task Force distribute the milk Dairy Producers and Marieke Gouda were among and cheese locally, but worked with the Hunger these groups. Relief Federation of Wisconsin to distribute the dairy products to emergency food organizations statewide. Amidst the uncertainty of the pandemic, the Dairy Recovery Program provided a lifeline for local dairy farmers while also supporting hungry families statewide by providing fresh Wisconsin milk and cheese to families in need. at the end of may, the $2 million supporting the wisconsin dairy recovery program supported the purchase and distribution of more than 40,800 GALLONS OF MILK AND 127,250 POUNDS 2020 TOTALS With the immediate success and appreciation from OF CHEESE TO FAMILIES hungry families of the program, Hunger Task Force committed a second $1M to the Dairy Recovery IN NEED STATEWIDE 276,969 GALLONS OF MILK Program in July 2020. This supplemental pledge was possible due to the continued overwhelming support 762,482 of local donors, and added more whole milk; gouda; POUNDS OF CHEESE baby swiss; and cheese curds, shreds and slices to the Dairy Recovery Program offerings. 358,704 POUNDS OF YOGURT In addition to supplying local families with a bevy 98,406 of dairy products in the midst of the pandemic, POUNDS OF COTTAGE CHEESE the Dairy Recovery Program also provided critical support to many local Wisconsin dairies and GRAND DAIRY TOTAL: 3,640,682 POUNDS cooperatives, some of whom would not have been able to stay afloat. Wisconsin dairy companies like
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SUPPORT AND REVENUE CONTRIBUTIONS Individuals $6,583,361 19.29% Foundations 4,878,816 14.29 REVENUE BY SOURCE Corporations 2,782,079 8.15 Hunger Relief Fund OTHER: 1.60% of Wisconsin 208,877 0.61 EMERGENCY FOOD: 39.27% GOVERNMENT GRANTS: 15.23% Organizations 401,283 1.18 Bequests 129,875 .38 TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS: 43.90% TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS: 14,984,291 43.90% EMERGENCY FOOD 13,402,756 39.27 GOVERNMENT GRANTS 5,197,280 15.23 OTHER 544,899 1.60 TOTAL: 34,129,226 100.00% EXPENSES PROGRAMS Food Programs $23,506,801 93.21% Advocacy Program 697,082 2.77 TOTAL PROGRAMS: 24,203,883 95.98% PROGRAMS: 95.98% Fund Development 1,014,110 4.02 FUND DEVELOPMENT: 4.02% TOTAL: 25,217,993 100.00% OPERATING EXPENSES END OF YEAR NET ASSETS: $21,854,524 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mike Zeka Patrick J. Byrne Todd Adams Jeffrey S. Manby Amy Mutziger Steve Palec S. Edward Sarskas President Treasurer Rexnord Corp. Kohl’s Department Johnson Controls, Inc. Irgens Michael Best & Quarles & Brady Erica P. John Fund Stores (retired) Friedrich LLP Jennifer Jones Sandy Pasch Taren Rodabaugh Anoop Prakash Mary Burgoon Prevent Child Sadhna State Representative Harley-Davidson Joe Yamat Vice President Secretary Abuse America Morato-Lindvall (retired) Motor Company Wells Fargo REV Group Rockwell Rockwell Advisors Automation Automation EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Jennifer Braasch Janice Falkenberg April Klinter Michelle Moran Margaret Mittelstadt Dan Sidner City National Bank Milwaukee Area Milwaukee Empty Foley & Lardner Outpost Natural Foods Blackshoe Hospitality Technical College Bowls Chris Brock Richard Marcus Dan Nemec Gary Sievewright WaterStone Bank Nick Fallucca Christopher Kuranz Fifth Third Bank Executive Director, Inc. Raymond James & Palermo’s Pizza Public Table Associates Allan Carneol Mary Anne Martiny Kevin Riordan Zetley, Carneol Patrick Farrell Angela Loberg GPS Education Partners The Boerke Company, Inc. Eric Thomas & Stein SC MRA UnitedHealthcare ComLoan Consulting Sarah Martis Mike Sattell Mandy Clarke Angela Hersil Ben Lorber Wisconsin Bar Ovation Communities Tracy Wattron Direct Supply Rexnord WISN 12 Association Anthem
HungerTaskForce.org Hunger Task Force believes that every person has a right to adequate food obtained with dignity. 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. Our core values are justice, compassion, stewardship and dignity.
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