In the decade-plus since its inception, the Brewers Community Foundation’s annual food drive has gathered almost 1 million pounds of food for those in need. They’ll add to that number this Friday, Nov. 17, at American Family Field with a day-long effort in partnership with the Hunger Task Force and CBS 58.
The drive-thru collection starts bright and early at 5 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m. After going through the parking lot, visitors will pull up next to Helfaer Field, where volunteers will accept their food donation. In return, they’ll receive a Brewers bobblehead and swag bag, with a special bobblehead available to anyone who donates three or more turkeys.
“Our friends at Hunger Task Force have consistently met the basic needs of countless families in our community,” Brewers Community Foundation executive director Cecelia Gore said in a press release. “The partnership we have forged over the last decade with Hunger Task Force and CBS 58 has provided continuous opportunities to have a strong impact which resonates in the Milwaukee area beyond the food drive.”
According to the Hunger Task Force, traffic at Milwaukee food pantries has increased steadily this year, surpassing 31,000 people per month. The organization expects that number to grow as the weather turns cold and emphasized the importance of stocking its food banks to meet the demand. For those visiting the Brewers drive-thru, it pointed out a few items of particular need:
- Healthy breakfast cereal
- Canned low-sodium vegetables
- Fruit in 100% juice
- Frozen turkeys for holiday meals
“With need rising at local food pantries and meal programs, we need the community’s help more than ever to make sure everyone, from kids to seniors, have healthy and festive foods on the table this Thanksgiving,” Hunger Task Force CEO Sherrie Tussler said in the release. “We’re grateful to our partners at CBS 58 and Brewers Community Foundation for their long-standing support of this special community tradition.”
