Natalie's Everyday Heroes: Live, Laugh, Loaves MKE feeds the community 1 loaf at a time

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- This week's everyday hero is very impressive. She's 18 years old and already a junior at Alverno College, studying to become a doctor.

But that's not why we're introducing you. MiquelaRae Artz also finds time in her busy schedule to feed people through her organization Live Laugh Loaves MKE.

Every Wednesday, you'll find Artz behind a warehouse in New Berlin, filling up a bus with bread.

"There's bagels and raisin bread. Sweet bread. We get a lot of hot dog buns. Burger buns, as well," Artz said.

She gets donated bread with the help of Erin Couillard with the organization Friends with Food.

"You never really understand the need until you're in this and people are calling you at all hours - hey, I really need bread. Can you help me out? I have nothing," Couillard said.

Artz understands. She saw it firsthand, volunteering with her church at a National Night Out event last summer.

"Hearing the different stories of the people that needed it and were super grateful that it was free, just touched my heart and I just kind of wanted to continue doing it," she said.

So, she got a bus from her grandpa, and once it's full, all of that bread is given away at 54th and Oklahoma, outside the Oklahoma Avenue Lutheran Church.

"I'm causing a crash," Artz laughed, as she pushed a cart taller than herself, stacked with bread.

Tray after tray after tray lined the sidewalk. There's also milk to go with the bread, and people waiting in line, all with different stories.

"College students living in the dorms, not being able to afford food. Or we had this father and son who lived in their car," Artz said.

Her father, Mike Artz, is always there to lend a hand.

"I don't think there are words to express how proud we are for her," he said.

He said working hard is MiquelaRae's bread and butter.

"She graduated high school. She was duly enrolled at MATC and at Regan, so she graduated a year early with 17 college credits," he said.

So, he said he knew Live, Laugh, Loaves would be a success.

"She's going to be a boss," he said with a big laugh. "She bosses people around, gets everything done. But she's efficient."

Getting food where it's needed most.

"I'm just really happy that I can help people in the community," she said.

These giveaways happen once a week and times are posted on the Live Laugh Loaves MKE Facebook page. For more information, visit Facebook. If you'd like to nominate an Everyday Hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected].