CBS 58's Drive-Thru Food Drive collects 587 turkeys, 52K pounds of food for Hunger Task Force

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Since 5 a.m. Friday morning, we've watched the collection bins at American Family Field fill with food for people in need. It's where CBS 58, the Hunger Task Force and the Brewers Community Foundation ran the annual drive-thru food drive. 

By Friday evening, the Hunger Task Force reported a grand total of 587 turkeys and 52,000 lbs. of food donated for families this holiday season. 

Thanks to the generosity of our Milwaukee community, the @CBS58 Thanksgiving Drive Thru Food Drive with the @Brewers raised an amazing 52K pounds of food and 587 turkeys! We’re so appreciative of all who came out to donate to make sure local families will have a special holiday. pic.twitter.com/ofkx1MyUfU

— Hunger Task Force, Inc. (@hungertaskforce) November 20, 2021

The outpouring of support was heartwarming to witness at the food drive, especially in these times where more and more people have been facing financial hardships and food insecurity. People dropping off donations say helping one another and giving back is important now more than ever.

"It is very important, we've been through some pretty difficult times. We've had troubles, honestly, putting food on the table also. So thank God everything has turned around for us in that and things have been good, and we want to pay it back," said Tiffney Rogers, who donated food.

People like Rogers know the feeling of struggling to make ends meet. No family should go hungry and that is the goal this annual food drive by CBS 58, Brewers Community Foundation, and Hunger Task Force strives to do.

The community's generosity showed throughout the day. There was a line of cars at 5 a.m. waiting to drop off food, and that line was steady throughout the day.

"We have had hundreds of cars come through today. We've had hundreds of frozen turkeys donated. We've had thousands of pounds of healthy food donated that is all going to be delivered to local families right here in our community, right before the Thanksgiving holiday," said Jonathan Hansen, director of development for Hunger Task Force.

In Milwaukee County, more than 21,000 people are visiting local food pantries each month. Those numbers are expected to rise as the weather cools down.

Organizers of the food drive say the need has always been there, but even more so now, throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

"It will be meaningful to bring joy, to provide something that people actually need. I think it really makes a difference," said Cecelia Gore, executive director of Brewer's Community Foundation.

"We had extra food and we plan on sharing it with everybody for Thanksgiving and Christmas," said Robert Witkowski, who donated food.

Mike Wisniewski has contributed to this effort for several years now and says it's one of his favorites to help with.

"It makes you feel good inside that you're doing something beneficial to other people who can't because of financial issues or health issues, whatever the problem may be," said Wisniewski.

Each person who dropped off a turkey walked away with a Brewers bobblehead souvenir, a small token of thanks for the difference their donations will make for a family this holiday season.

"This is going to be a very special Thanksgiving because it's going to be a reunion Thanksgiving for many families. Last year we were not able to gather together, but this year families are able to do that once again," said Hansen.

If you weren’t able to donate Friday, there is still time to donate to the cause online.