"Turn Tax Time into Dinner Time:" Find out how you can help individuals struggling with hunger

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Feeding America warehouse in Milwaukee is a hub for stocking fresh and non-perishable foods. But now is when they need donations the most.

"Everybody is in the giving spirit and then we hit January 1st, and the donations really trail off," Gina Styer with Feeding American Eastern Wisconsin said.

It's important to keep those shelves stocked, because 70,000 pounds of food is transported from the Feeding America Warehouse to food pantries across eastern Wisconsin everyday. But, you don't have to drop off a bag of canned goods to help.

This tax season, Wisconsin residents can donate $1 or more to Feeding America food banks in the state by entering the amount on line 26h (short form) or line 35h (long form) on the state income tax form.

"For every dollar donated, we can provide five meals to a family struggling with hunger," Styer said.

According to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, your donation would provide an added source of funding to ensure that the shelves of pantries and meal programs that rely on Feeding America member food banks remain stocked with healthy choices for people who cannot afford one of life’s most basic necessities: food.

Last year, the program raise more than $74,000. The program also partnered with the Automotive Dealers Association of Mega Milwaukee, or ADAMM. For every oil change at a dealership through the end of February,  $1 goes to feed the hungry.

"Last year we collected enough money and donations that we were able to buy over 400,000 meals for the Milwaukee area," said Andy Schlesigner, President of Andrew Automotive Group.

The goal is keep the warehouse stocked for the more than 800 pantries and churches -- which pick up food everyday from across southeast Wisconsin.

FOX6 News is also patterning with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin through the Defeat Hunger Bowl. You can drop off donations at any Walmart or Sam's Club through February 1st.

For more information about filing taxes and making a tax deductible donation please visit, www.revenue.wi.gov.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. 

CLICK HERE for information on The Defeat Hunger Bowl.