"I was low on food; I thank God:" 11,000 pounds of food handed out to those living near Sherman Park
MILWAUKEE -- Feeding America of Eastern Wisconsin on Tuesday, August 23rd hosted a mobile food pantry in Milwaukee's Sherman Park. It was an effort to heal with food, after unrest following a fatal officer-involved shooting that happened on August 13th near 44th and Auer.
About 11,000 pounds of food was handed out to residents of the Sherman Park neighborhood (about 200-300 families) between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, and FOX6 News found people were grateful for the help.
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin hosts mobile food pantry at Sherman Park
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin partners with the Mary Ryan Boys & Girls Club located in Sherman Park for a quarterly food giveaway. Due to the recent unrest following the fatal officer-involved shooting of Sylville Smith near 44th and Auer on August 13th, the giveaway was moved up to August 23rd.
People received things like chicken, eggs, milk, cereal, mac 'n cheese, canned vegetables, fresh produce like lettuce, and peanut butter.
It was especially helpful for some families. Some of the businesses damaged or destroyed during the unrest sold food to residents in the area.
"I mean, I was low on food but not no more now. I thank God. That helped me out a lot," Ebony Brown said.
"It's important -- especially when kids are still not back in school where they're given breakfast and lunch -- that they and their families have access to healthy, nutritious food. We can feed these families and children with pennies on the dollar. And that's what we're doing," Charles McLimans with Feeding America Easter Wisconsin said.
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin hosts mobile food pantry at Sherman Park
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin hosts mobile food pantry at Sherman Park
McLimans said studies continue to show a direct correlation between hunger and violence. McLimans said food is just one pillar of household stability -- the others being health, housing and employment.
Tara Hudson said she hopes the event Tuesday will serve as an example for the community.
"I hope it will be an even bigger change and the people out here will start seeing, instead of killing each other -- help each other," Hudson said.
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin hosts mobile food pantry at Sherman Park
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin hosts mobile food pantry at Sherman Park
That's what 16-year-old Jabe Belton and her mother did on Tuesday -- as they served as volunteers for this event.
"Food is like the most important thing. Hunger is a big thing in the world actually and to be able to give back, and people actually need food, is like the best," Belton said.
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin hosts mobile food pantry at Sherman Park
FOX6 News heard from many who said they were thankful that a positive, caring event like this took place after the recent violence and unrest.
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin hosts mobile food pantry at Sherman Park