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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 28, 2025

Contact: Caroline Reinwald
Office: (414) 286-3780
Cell: (414) 308-5556
[email protected]

Contact: Milwaukee County 
[email protected] 

 

City, County, MPS, Bucks, Faith Leaders, and Partners Launch Food Drive to Support Residents Affected by FoodShare Interruption

 

MILWAUKEE – The City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Milwaukee Public School District, the Milwaukee Bucks, faith leaders, and other partners are launching a unified effort to ensure families have access to food and basic necessities during the federal government shutdown. FoodShare benefits are expected to pause on November 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown.  

In collaboration with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and Nourish MKE, the drive will collect nonperishable food and monetary donations to support Milwaukee-area food pantries. 

The food drive begins immediately and will continue until FoodShare benefits are restored. For donation and assistance information, residents can visit the City of Milwaukee’s Food Drive page or Milwaukee County’s Food Assistance page. 


Donations will be accepted across both City and County facilities, including: 

  • Milwaukee City Hall – 200 E. Wells Street, Milwaukee 
  • Milwaukee County Courthouse – 901 N. 9th Street, Milwaukee 
  • Zeidler Municipal Building – 841 N. Broadway, Milwaukee 
  • Marcia P. Coggs Health & Human Services Center – 1230 W. Cherry Street, Milwaukee 
  • Hillview – 1615 S. 22nd Street, Milwaukee 
  • Fiserv Forum – 1111 Vel R. Phillips Avenue, Milwaukee 
  • ALL City of Milwaukee Health Department centers
  • All Milwaukee Public Schools 
  • All Milwaukee Police Department districts 
  • All City of Milwaukee Public Library branches 
  • Mason Temple Church – 6098 N. 35th Street, Milwaukee 
     

A press conference announcing the joint effort will take place today, October 28 at 3:30 p.m. 

WHAT: Press conference announcing unified food drive 
WHEN: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – 3:30 p.m. 
WHERE: Milwaukee City Hall Rotunda, 200 E. Wells Street 

WHO: 

  • Mayor Cavalier Johnson 
  • Commissioner of Health Mike Totoraitis, PhD 
  • Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain 
  • Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin 
  • Superintendent Brenda Cassellius, EdD, Milwaukee Public Schools 
  • Milwaukee Police Department  
  • Milwaukee Public Library 
  • Milwaukee Bucks 
  • Mason Temple Church Pastor Sean Tatum 
     

“The federal government shutdown needs to end,” said Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “This is not an abstract issue. It’s about whether families can afford to eat. While Washington debates, Milwaukee is stepping up. We’re coming together to keep each other fed, safe, and cared for. That’s who we are as a city.” 

“Milwaukee County is strong and resilient, but the health and wellbeing of our residents and families should never be casualties of political fights in Washington,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “Until this federal shutdown ends, we will do what we always do: look out for our neighbors and step up to help in times of need. I’m grateful to all our community partners and encourage every resident who is able to join us in caring for our community.” 

“We recognize the very real hardship this shutdown is causing for families who rely on FoodShare,” said City of Milwaukee Commissioner of Health Mike Totoraitis, PhD. “We can’t solve the federal problem, but we can solve part of the local one. Milwaukee is a community that acts, and this food drive is one way we make sure every family has a meal on the table. When one of us struggles, all of us step in to help.” 

“Food insecurity affects physical health, mental health, and stability for entire households,” said Shakita LaGrant-McClain, Director of the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). “I encourage everyone to consider donating to your local food pantry. This is a time where the community really needs to come together.”