Giving Tuesday: How to donate and support local charities

MILWAUKEE – Giving Tuesday is a chance for people to help those in the community who are doing their best to help others.

A common way for people to help on Giving Tuesday is to donate to food charities such as Hunger Task Force, Feeding America and United Way.

Patti Habeck, president and CEO of Feeding America’s Eastern Wisconsin office, spoke with WTMJ’s The Upswing about how food insecurity is reaching the college level.

“If we can’t ensure that our students, including those who attend college or go on to secondary school, have the nutrition they need, we really won’t have success in getting to the next level of education,” Habeck said. “We are working to support campus food pantries and ensure students have access to the food resources they need.”

Matt King, CEO of Hunger Task Force, says his organization helps grow produce for food pantries in Franklin and forges local partnerships with local grocers and food banks.

“It’s a lot about education. We work with our partners and donors in the food industry to really educate them on the mission and help them understand our core values ​​and why we are committed to a certain food standard,” King said.

Veterans organizations not only support food charities but also donate heavily.

Dr. Ed Fernandez helps run the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight for retired veterans and says the organization funds its own private charter flights to Washington, D.C., to honor men and women who served but never received a welcome home celebration. Fernandez spoke with Wisconsin’s Afternoon News about how the organization is run and run by volunteers.

“This is a volunteer organization. 97 cents of every dollar donated goes to the mission. And I am blessed to work with a great group of volunteers and the board,” said Dr. Fernandez. “The money donated will be well spent and as Giving Tuesday takes place, we are thrilled to see the continued support and gratitude to those who have helped.”

For those still unsure how to donate this holiday season, Amy Lindner of United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County says many people who donated this year were focused on making a difference in their community effect.

“Donors really want to feel connected to the impact they are making with their own donations,” Lindner said. “Find something in your community that really concerns you and a problem that you think you can help solve. Every amount of money you donate contributes to these solutions.”