Natalie's Everyday Heroes: Sherrie Tussler comes out of retirement to feed hungry kids
RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Sherrie Tussler is well-known for her work leading Hunger Task Force in Milwaukee. It's a job she did for nearly 30 years.
Sherrie Tussler
Tussler retired in 2024. But as we found, it didn't stick.
She retired to Racine, but when she found out the city didn't offer summer meals once school was let out, she decided to change that.
We caught up with kids at the Tyler Domer Center.
Running, jumping and playing take a lot of energy, and it's a lot of fun.
"To me it means everything," said Katelynn Vasquez.
Vasquez is a playground leader at the community center in Racine this summer.
"Basically, just playing all day and making sure the kids are having a fun day," she said.
That also means making sure they're well fed.
Vasquez is helping to serve up hot, healthy, free lunches.
"Here in Racine, it's like one in five children is experiencing hunger," Tussler explained on the first day of the summer meal program.
It's no surprise to those who know her that Tussler is a co-founder of this summer meals program, called Benner Beats Hunger.
"I was just going to be a retired lady who walked on the beach because we have a beautiful beach here in Racine," she said.
But when Tussler, retired CEO of Hunger Task Force, found out Racine didn't offer free summer meals, she got back to work.
"You can't see hunger, you can only know children are experiencing it," she said.
Benner Beats Hunger is serving meals at sites across Racine. Another site is at North Beach.
"In my line of work, I've seen it a lot," said Gabrielle Hood, who co-founded the organization with Tussler.
"And if anyone has met Gabby Hood, you know she's like a force of nature," Tussler said.
Hood is also a Racine police officer who's seen hunger first-hand.
"And we came to the conclusion that we needed to help kids get meals during the summer because of the increased food insecurity," Hood said.
Tussler anticipates a busy summer, serving more than 30,000 meals.
Retirement will have to wait.
"I really care about kids. I have a couple of my own. It's hard not to see a kid and think about whether or not they're well nourished," she said. "It's important to me and I'll keep doing the work as long as I can."
Benner Beats Hunger is different from a lot of programs. They're offering dinner, too. And parents and families can eat, as well.
This is their second year offering free meals. To see all of the locations, visit HERE.
If you'd like to nominate an Everyday Hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected].