"It's going to help a lot:" Easter baskets of food given to families, seniors in need

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Food, family, and faith is what Easter is all about, but sometimes the food is hard to come by.

For the 8th year, Palermo's Pizza and the Hunger Task Force are providing 1,500 bins of food to families and seniors in need.

"Of course we've got ham but we've also got a number of fresh things like fresh carrots, fresh potatoes, fresh apples, and jelly beans and Peeps because it is the holiday," said Hunger Task Force Director Sherrie Tussler.

Palermo's Pizza employees helped fill the bins before distribution, as the holidays can be a tough time to find the funds to put food on the table.

"One in four kids in Milwaukee is going to wake up in a house that doesn't have enough food. The problem of hunger and poverty here in Milwaukee is great. More than 34,000 people in Milwaukee are visiting food pantries every single month here in Milwaukee County," said Tussler.

Eager recipients lined up Wednesday morning to receive their Easter meal.

Along with getting a basket of food, 50 lucky people got a golden egg with $50 inside.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett even showed up to help hand out the golden eggs.

"It is a lot of fun to watch them open it and have that $50 in it," said Mayor Barrett.

Since 2008, this program, Easter Baskets for the Hungry, has provided 350,000 pounds of food to Milwaukee area families.

"It's going to help a lot," said Bill Witt as he received his basket of food.

Making it an extra special easter to many who need a helping hand.

"It's the best holiday I've ever had. Thank you very much," said Mary Witt as she opened her golden egg and found the $50.

A simple gesture that comes with drive-through service.

For more information on how you can help the Hunger Task Force feed families in need CLICK HERE.