Hunger Task Force: Neediest families will enjoy a home-cooked meal this Christmas

MILWAUKEE -- Hunger Task Force and generous donors are working to ensure that special memories will be made this season for local families.

Pallets covered with 800 bins line the Hunger Task Force Warehouse floor on Milwaukee's south side. Each bin goes to a local family.

"If you don't have food you can sit down and eat and share with your relatives and friends, and family, it is really not a holiday," said Sherrie Tussler, Hunger Task Force.

Holiday bins will be assembled in the Hunger Task Force South Warehouse and filled with items to help those in need create a festive, home-cooked meal.

Bins will be picked up immediately by local food pantries. Pantry coordinators identify families experiencing the greatest need and offer them the holiday bin.

"We take a look at the families that come, and we take a look at those that have the most numbers, and we try to serve them first," said Steve Pollock, St. Hyacinth Food Pantry.

More than 500 area food pantries are participating. But this year, the Milwaukee Police Department helped too.

"A little girl wrote to the police department and said there wouldn't be any presents this year because mom just got out of a homeless shelter with her children and she needed to buy mattresses, so the kids weren't sleeping on the floor," said Tussler.

Officer Gregory Hunter picks up the food. He'll surprise the family with the bin and presents.

"It's not typical, but it is something we are willing to take the challenge, make sure those needs are met because we love our citizens," said Officer Gregory Hunter.

Each bin is filled with $100 worth of food.

To donate a ham now through the end of December, make an online donation at HungerTaskForce.org for only $15, or fresh hams may be dropped off in person at the Hunger Task Force warehouse dock located at 201 S. Hawley Court.