Salvation Army, Brewers team up for 'Feed the Kids' kickoff event

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Over the next 10 weeks, volunteers and team members with the Salvation Army will hand out roughly 70,000 bagged lunches to kids across Milwaukee as a part of the Feed the Kids campaign. On Monday, The Salvation Army had some special helpers preparing the lunches.

"Just being from the area, it feels even more special to give back to the community," said Brewers utility player and Fredonia native Owen Miller. "Any possible thing to give back, and it's really cool helping out the Salvation Army like this."

Miller, Brewers pitcher Peter Strzelecki, Bernie Brewer and the Racing Sausages all lend a hand in helping prepare the lunches, 1,000 made on Monday. For Strzelecki, it was a reminder of a childhood job.

"I worked at Firehouse Subs. I was fired, actually, because I didn't learn the menu quick enough," Strzelecki recalled. "This is better though. This is giving back. I enjoy this more."

All jokes aside, both players were grateful to be a part of an effort helping provide children in Milwaukee meals, something they might not get without the program.

"Last year, we served a little over 65,000 meals. We're planning for over 70,000 this year, just because of the need to the community," explained Major Steven Woodard with the Salvation Army. "We connect with them (kids) day in and day out. This is their only meal that they might have throughout the summer."

The program lasts through Aug. 25, with meals being distributed at 21 locations across the city.

Since 1990, the Feed the Kids effort has provided over 2.7 million meals.

Anyone looking to donate their time or money can visit the Salvation Army website for more information.