One of the many areas of concern around the federal government’s ongoing shutdown is the disappearance of food aid from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In Wisconsin, the program operates as FoodShare and faces the same Nov. 1 deadline for the expiration of benefits.
During federal shutdowns, people tend to fall back on food banks and pantries, many of which aren’t stocked to handle the influx. With that in mind, a group of Milwaukee organizations on Tuesday announced a joint effort to try and address the situation with a food drive that will stretch across the city.
Among the groups involved are the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, the Milwaukee Public School District, the Milwaukee Bucks, various faith leaders and other partners.
“We recognize the very real hardship this shutdown is causing for families who rely on FoodShare,” Milwaukee Commissioner of Health Mike Totoraitis said in a release. “We can’t solve the federal problem, but we can solve part of the local one. Milwaukee is a community that acts, and this food drive is one way we make sure every family has a meal on the table. When one of us struggles, all of us step in to help.”
In that spirit, food donations will be accepted at a cross-section of locations, including:
- Milwaukee City Hall at 200 E. Wells St.
- Milwaukee County Courthouse at 901 N. 9th St.
- Zeidler Municipal Building at 841 N. Broadway
- Marcia P. Coggs Health & Human Services Center at 1230 W. Cherry St.
- Hillview at 1615 S. 22nd St.
- Fiserv Forum at 1111 Vel R. Phillips Ave.
- All Milwaukee Public Schools
- All Milwaukee Police Department districts
- All City of Milwaukee Public Library branches
- Mason Temple Church at 6058 N. 35th St.
“Milwaukee County is strong and resilient, but the health and wellbeing of our residents and families should never be casualties of political fights in Washington,” Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said in the release. “Until this federal shutdown ends, we will do what we always do: look out for our neighbors and step up to help in times of need.
“I’m grateful to all our community partners and encourage every resident who is able to join us in caring for our community.”
The food drive is underway now, and organizers say it will continue until FoodShare benefits are restored. For more information about the types of donations accepted, where to donate and more, go to the City of Milwaukee’s Food Drive webpage or Milwaukee County’s Food Assistance webpage.
