Thursday, March 14th is second-annual Match Day in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Thursday, March 14th was Match Day in Milwaukee. It was the second-annual donation event benefitting nearly two dozen charitable organizations.

"It's our historic 24-hour day of giving, which raises money and shows the need for food and shelter programs in a four-county area," Ellen Gilligan with the Greater Milwaukee Foundation said.

Match Day, now in its second year, is spearheaded by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.

"Last year, we were able to receive over $70,000 in donations. That was money that we hadn't planned on receiving. The program was new," Faithe Colas with the Salvation Army of Milwaukee County said.

Scott Marshall is the director of development for the Hunger Task Force, which helps provide food to an estimated 35,000 people through various food pantries.

"Eating is a habit. You have to do it every single day, and we try to make sure that all these folks get to do it three times. With the help of the donors who give to us, especially on a day like Match Day, it's a great opportunity for us to make sure that is not an issue," Marshall said.

Alicia Ellis is part of Central City Churches, an organization that features food secured through the organization's partnership with the Hunger Task Force.

Ellis says the Match Day money offers an opportunity for her organization to focus on services other than the food pantry.

"Donations have been done because of the economy, so with the Hunger Task Force providing food for us helps us ease our pockets a little bit," Ellis said.

Match Day continues until midnight.

CLICK HERE to make a donation!