Food & Wine
Wed, November 12, 2025
Tue, November 11, 2025
West Allis Mobilizes 500 Volunteers to Collect Over 3,000 Pounds of Food for Milwaukee Hunger Relief
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Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, November 12th 2025 at 9:30 GMT by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
West Allis Community Food Drive: A Heart‑warming Effort to Combat Hunger
In a spirited display of community solidarity, West Allis residents gathered this weekend for a large‑scale food drive that will send thousands of non‑perishable items to families in need throughout the Milwaukee region. The event, announced by the city’s Office of Community Services and organized in partnership with West Allis Public Schools, local churches, and the Food Bank of Milwaukee, attracted more than 500 volunteers and collected over 3,000 pounds of food. The drive exemplifies how small towns can leverage local resources and civic pride to make a measurable difference in the lives of their neighbors.
The Big Picture: Hunger in the Milwaukee Area
The Food Bank of Milwaukee’s 2025 annual report highlighted a 12% increase in the number of households it serves compared to the previous year, underscoring a growing need for food assistance in the region. “We’re seeing more families stretch the same dollar further than ever,” said Karen L. Simmons, executive director of the Food Bank. “That’s why we’re grateful for the West Allis community’s generosity.” The food bank’s website, which was linked in the original article, notes that it distributes approximately 9.8 million pounds of food each year to 18 food pantries across the county. The West Allis drive will feed into this broader network, ensuring that the donated items reach those most in need.
How It All Started
The initiative began in late September when West Allis’s mayor, Dan Schober, visited the city’s community kitchen and noted the rising demand for food aid. “It’s clear that our neighbors are asking for help,” he said. “We had to act fast.” Schober reached out to the West Allis Public Schools’ Department of Community Service, which promptly collaborated with local food banks, grocery chains, and religious institutions. The city’s Office of Community Services then launched a city‑wide campaign on social media and through neighborhood newsletters, encouraging residents to drop off canned goods, dry goods, and baby formula at designated collection points.
The Drive in Action
The event took place on Saturday, November 10th, at the West Allis Municipal Building, the historic City Hall, and a few corner grocery stores that had volunteered to serve as drop‑off points. Each location was staffed by a volunteer coordinator, a volunteer from the city’s Community Services department, and representatives from the Food Bank of Milwaukee. A “food station” in the cafeteria of West Allis High School was also set up to accept donations during lunch hours.
A total of 4,200 pounds of non‑perishable food items were collected, including canned soups, pasta, rice, and baby food. The Food Bank’s donation page indicates that it accepts 10–15 different categories of food, but the West Allis drive specifically requested canned and dried goods because these items are easy to transport and store. Volunteers also helped sort and catalog items, ensuring that the donation would be distributed efficiently to partner pantries.
The event drew an estimated 1,200 participants, ranging from schoolchildren who brought small boxes of snacks from their lunchrooms to retirees who donated a few cans of soup from their own kitchens. Local businesses such as the West Allis Community Pharmacy and the “Allis Grocery” chain set up their own donation boxes on their storefronts. In total, more than 5,000 food items were received from the community.
Quotes from the Community
When asked about the experience, one volunteer, 27‑year‑old teacher Maya Rodriguez, shared, “I’ve never seen so many people come together for a single cause. It reminded me of the power of a community that’s invested in each other.” Another participant, 68‑year‑old church volunteer Jim Hall, said, “We do this every year, but it never feels less important than it does now, especially when we see how many families rely on these supplies.”
City officials emphasized that this drive is part of a larger effort to reduce food insecurity. Mayor Schober said, “We want to show that West Allis is a place where people help each other. This drive demonstrates that we care about the welfare of all our residents.” He also announced a follow‑up pledge: the city will match every dollar donated through the Food Bank’s online platform for a limited time.
What Happens Next?
After the collection, the Food Bank’s distribution center will sort the items into boxes and deliver them to participating pantries. According to the Food Bank of Milwaukee’s website, these boxes typically provide a month’s worth of staples for a family of four. In West Allis, the drive’s proceeds are expected to benefit approximately 200 families, with an average of 15 items per family.
City officials also plan to use the data collected from this event to inform future initiatives. “The numbers we gather help us determine where to focus our resources next year,” explained Community Services Director Alicia Kim. “If we see a shortage in certain categories, we’ll adjust our outreach accordingly.”
A Call to Action
The article concludes with an invitation for residents to continue supporting local food relief efforts. It links to the Food Bank of Milwaukee’s “Volunteer” page, where individuals can sign up to help with distribution, and to the West Allis City website’s “Donate” portal, which facilitates direct monetary contributions. Additionally, the link to West Allis Public Schools provides information on the school’s ongoing community service programs, encouraging students to volunteer their time throughout the year.
In sum, the West Allis community food drive not only showcased the city’s ability to mobilize resources quickly and efficiently but also highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration between municipal entities, local nonprofits, and everyday citizens. While the event collected a tangible amount of food, its true impact lies in the sense of unity and shared purpose it forged among the city’s residents—a model that other communities could emulate as they tackle hunger and food insecurity in their own regions.
Read the Full Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Article at:
[ https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/south/2025/11/12/west-allis-community-food-drive/87217181007/ ]
