Editor’s note: We are not using the full name of Juanita F. because she asked NNS to protect her privacy.
Roommates Sharon Nelson and Juanita F. sometimes struggle to get to and from their area food pantry. So they signed up to receive stock boxes through the Hunger Task Force’s Stockbox DoorDash Senior Delivery program.
“It’s hard to get out, especially during the winter,” Nelson said. “It’s hard and difficult to drive. This program is a lifeline.”
The program delivers to low-income seniors in Milwaukee.
“It’s very easy to get the boxes,” said Juanita. “The drivers always communicate well, they are polite, and they help get the box in the house.”
Jonathan Hansen, the chief strategy officer with the Hunger Task Force, said the program is 100% private donor driven and has continued to expand.
“When we started the program in 2021 we were delivering 500 stock boxes a month,” he said. “Today, the program is delivering 1,900 a month.”
The program
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hunger Task Force saw an uptick in people who did not want to leave their homes and seniors who didn’t have a way to get around.
The program includes a variety of healthy shelf-stable foods, aiming to help seniors stretch their food budgets. Hunger Task Force also offers nutrition education and connects seniors to other federal nutrition programs.
“This program is the best thing the Hunger Task Force has ever done,” said Juanita. “I don’t know what we would do without it.”
For more information
Seniors can sign up through the Hunger Task Force, which provides support through the DoorDash app.
The program delivers to low-income seniors within a 10-mile radius of the Hunger Task Force, 5000 W. Electric Ave.
You can find more information here.
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