Oct. 3 declared Food For Families Day in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- As food and gas prices rise, the need for food assistance among Milwaukee residents is growing. According to the City of Milwaukee, local food pantry traffic has steadily increased to over 31,000 people each month.

As a response to the rising need, Mayor Cavalier Johnson has declared Monday, Oct. 3 as Food For Families Day, being kicked off by a virtual food drive to help make an impact on Milwaukee families. The annual food drive is taking place until December 31.

This comes on the heels of CBS 58 and Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin partnering to raise almost-$5,000 during the 2022 Hometown Hunger Fund Drive on Friday, Sept. 30.

As part of Food For Families Day and the subsequent food drive, Mayor Johnson issued a Monday, Oct. 3 press release to call on " ... all local businesses, large and small, worship groups, book clubs, neighbors, friends and family" to join the campaign by helping raise money to fill local food pantries, particularly with healthy food.

The virtual Food For Families drive allows anyone to donate cash directly, complete with a guide for how each donated amount can be spent. As an example, the site shows that $15 can be utilized to buy a turkey or a ham, or a more generous $125 donation can provide a complete holiday dinner for a family.

To participate in the virtual Food For Families drive to help celebrate Food For Families Day, click here.