Staff respond to rising food insecurity among clients as federal assistance programs remain on hold
Milwaukee, WI — October 31, 2025 — The staff of Jewish Family Services (JFS) Milwaukee is organizing an internal food drive to support more than 200 SNAP recipient and other clients in the agency’s Outpatient Mental Health, Comprehensive Community Services (CCS), Disabilities Case Management, and Jewish Case Management programs—individuals and families experiencing heightened food insecurity during the ongoing government shutdown.
Like many Jewish Family Service organizations across the country—unaffiliated but united in their commitment to the communities they serve—JFS Milwaukee is taking proactive steps to help stabilize clients and community members affected by the suspension of programs such as SNAP and other federal food assistance.
In partnership with the Hunger Task Force, Jewish Family Services employees will collect shelf-stable food items from November 3 through November 28. Collection boxes will be located in JFS staff breakrooms. Throughout the month, donated items will be delivered to the Hunger Task Force, where they’ll be distributed through local food pantry sites across the city. This collaboration ensures that JFS clients can easily access food through established Hunger Task Force locations close to home—or, when needed, request in-home delivery. Hunger Task Force also already is on schedule to deliver food at least once a month to our eligible residents at JFS Housing in Brown Deer.
This effort may be extended past November, depending on the national situation.
If you would like direct resources, click here to download a list of food pantry locations in Milwaukee county, click here. In addition, the 211 Network is responding to texts – text your zip code to 898-211 and Impact 211 will respond with information.
By partnering with the Hunger Task Force, JFS is helping connect clients with a reliable, fully staffed, and well-stocked source of food—available during extended hours, including weekends, and offering delivery options when necessary. Rather than operating a separate pantry at our Jackson Street office, this approach ensures clients have consistent access to food through a sustainable, citywide network. Given the uncertainty around ongoing government and SNAP program interruptions, this partnership provides clients with the most stable long-term solution for food access.
While JFS’s current priority is supporting our operating budget, we understand that some may still wish to contribute to the food drive. To do so, donations can be made by check (please note “JFS Food Drive” in the memo) or online at jfsmilw.org/donate, designating your gift for the food drive. These funds will be used to purchase staple food items most needed by our partners and provide them to the Hunger Task Force for distribution.
We’re deeply grateful for your generosity and partnership as we continue to strive to meet essential needs throughout our community.
“Food insecurity is a growing concern as families experience interruptions in essential services,” said Dan Fleischman, Interim President and CEO of Jewish Family Services. “By working together, our staff demonstrates the compassion and commitment that define Jewish Family Services and the values we share with our community partners.”
“I think this is great, and I love that JFS is doing this,” Roby Jensen, longtime friend of JFS and donor to the JFS Food Drive.
Contact:
Jenny Heyden
📞 (414) 225-1345
📧 jheyden@jfsmilw.org
About Jewish Family Services (JFS):
Jewish Family Services of Milwaukee provides compassionate social services that help individuals and families achieve stability, wellness, and independence. Guided by Jewish values, JFS serves people of all backgrounds through counseling, case management, older adult services, and community support initiatives.