Hunger Task Force received 5,195 of the 23,652 contest votes during the campaign and took home the first place prize of $50,000.
Hunger Task Force won the top prize in WaterStone Bank’s 95th Anniversary video voting contest, securing the most public votes and receiving $50,000.
In celebration of its 95th anniversary, WaterStone Bank invited local nonprofits to submit one-minute videos highlighting their work in the community. Ten video finalists were chosen by WaterStone Bank, and the general public was invited to vote for the winner from May 23 – May 31.
Hunger Task Force received 5,195 of the 23,652 contest votes during the campaign and took home the first place prize of $50,000. Each finalist received a cash prize donation.
Hunger Task Force’s video—titled “Ending Hunger for a Stronger Community”—focused on the Free & Local food bank’s core values of dignity, compassion, justice and stewardship.
“Hunger Task Force is grateful to WaterStone Bank for its community leadership and congratulates their organization for 95 years of service,” says Sherrie Tussler, Hunger Task Force Executive Director. “Summer is a peak time for childhood hunger, and this funding is going to help us feed a lot of hungry kids. Thank you to everyone who voted for Hunger Task Force!”
Hunger Task Force believes that every person has a right to adequate food obtained with dignity. Hunger Task Force works 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.
Hunger Task Force was also awarded a $100,000 Federal Grant to support Fresh Picks Mobile Market. The Mobile Market is stocked with only healthy foods and includes 40+ varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables, and 10+ high-grade meat and dairy items.
Hunger Task Force also received a $100,000 federal Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) grant from the USDA to support the Fresh Picks Mobile Market.
The Fresh Picks Mobile Market is an innovative grocery store on wheels, operated in partnership with Pick ‘N Save and Milwaukee County. Hunger Task Force converted a former NASCAR trailer into a mobile store that travels to underserved neighborhoods, food deserts and senior centers in Milwaukee County. The Mobile Market is not a pantry or donation center.
The Mobile Market is stocked with only healthy foods and includes 40+ varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables, and 10+ high-grade meat and dairy items. The Mobile Market is operated by Hunger Task Force, and Pick ‘N Save manages all retail operations. The Mobile Market accepts FoodShare Quest cards, debit and credit cards (no cash). FINI grant funding will be used to provide a 25% incentive discount on healthy foods offered at the Mobile Market.
“The Fresh Picks Mobile Market is an innovative model for increasing access to healthy foods in underserved neighborhoods and food deserts,” says Sherrie Tussler, Hunger Task Force Executive Director. “We are truly excited to announce this public/private partnership that delivers healthy, affordable foods to seniors in neighborhoods of great need.”
Hunger Task Force was one of 12 organizations in the country to receive a FINI pilot grant, which focus on new, innovative projects to increase access to healthy foods to low-income populations and food deserts.
