Wisconsin Feeding America food banks have formed the Wisconsin Association of Feeding America Food Banks, a new association that will support and enhance the work of Feeding America food banks in Wisconsin.
The organization’s goals are to create public/private partnerships to help end hunger in the state, raise public awareness about the issue of hunger and identify additional statewide food and revenue sources.
Representatives from the State Association, its advisory board, UnitedHealthcare and Milwaukee Health Commissioner Bevan Baker held a news conference announcing the formation of the group today.
UnitedHealthcare is donating $100,000 to help support the State Association.
“The Wisconsin Association of Feeding America Food Banks plays a critical role in helping families, children and seniors statewide who are struggling with hunger have access to fresh, nutritious food,” said Chris Abbott, regional vice president of UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement. “UnitedHealthcare is grateful for the opportunity to support the State Association to help ensure people living in the badger state are living healthier lives.”
The State Association includes all Feeding America food banks serving Wisconsin: Channel One Regional Food Bank, Feed My People Food Bank, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, Second Harvest Heartland and Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank.
Together, the food banks serve every county in Wisconsin, supplying food pantries and meal programs with basic food items necessary to support our neighbors in need at the local level.
“Here in the breadbasket of the world’s wealthiest nation there is no reason for a single adult, senior or child to miss a meal,” said Emily Moore, executive director of Feed My People in Eau Claire. “We know that we possess the resources in a state as abundant as Wisconsin. The goal of this association is to make sure that we coordinate the distribution of our services in a way that makes every donated dollar or can of food work more effectively and efficiently. We can do this.”
An advisory board has been formed to guide the State Association in its work and includes: Abbott; Mike Crane, Wisconsin Public Radio; Peter Crawford, Roundy’s Supermarkets Inc.; Jed Colquhoun, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Nick George, Midwest Food Processors Association; and Lisa Nelson, Walmart.
