Kohl’s Department Stores in Menomonee Falls has partnered with The Hunger Task Force to create Kohl’s Serving Up Supper for Kids. The one-year pilot program will feed 2,775 Milwaukee-area children each day.
The $225,000 donation to Hunger Task Force comes from Kohl’s philanthropic program, Kohl’s Cares for Kids, which focuses on improving the lives of children.
"Kohl’s is dedicated to supporting children’s health and education programs across the country, including great local programs that help kids right here in our hometown," said Julie Gardner, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Kohl’s Department Stores. "Every child deserves to grow up strong and healthy and that starts with good meals and proper nutrition. We’re excited about the Kohl’s Serving Up Supper for Kids program providing needed meals for kids to help encourage physical and mental development in their formative years. We’re pleased to be in a position to help fight hunger during a time when more families need extra support."
Hunger Task Force developed this program to provide a third daily meal year-round to children at 25 locations in Milwaukee Public Schools. The program will provide snacks and suppers to feed kids 13 years and older at Community Learning Centers.
"The Kohl’s Serving Up Supper for Kids program will provide 721,500 meals this year alone," said Sherrie Tussler, executive director of Hunger Task Force. "Kohl’s is helping us make a major impact on fighting childhood hunger in Milwaukee. With 35 percent of children in the city of Milwaukee living in poverty, we know there is room for improvement in addressing hunger – including outside of school hours. We’re inspired that Kohl’s is taking this stand against hunger in our community."
Since 2000, Kohl’s has raised more than $140 million nationwide through the company’s philanthropic programs and has raised nearly $15.6 million to support charitable initiatives in the metro-Milwaukee area, including more than $50,000 to food drives for Hunger Task Force.
In addition, in 2009, Kohl’s planted gardens on its corporate office grounds growing fresh produce. Many of the crops from the gardens, including green peppers, beans, cabbage, squash, salad greens pumpkins and tomatoes, are donated to Hunger Task Force.
