As food insecurity rates continue to rise among military veterans in Northeast Wisconsin, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin will hold its 7th Annual Combat Hunger event on Thursday, May 22. This 12-hour event, benefiting residents of Wisconsin Veterans Village, is hosted in partnership with Woodward Community Media and Pick ‘n Save. Combat Hunger will be held rain or shine at the Appleton Pick ‘n Save at 2700 N. Ballard Road from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

According to the latest USDA data, over 24% of the active U.S. military population is food insecure, with 1-in-9 working-age veterans currently living in a food insecure household and 1.2 million low-income veterans utilizing SNAP benefits. Additionally, active-duty service members are more likely to experience food insecurity than civilian adults due in part to household income instability and frequent relocation and unpredictable deployments.

“No one should have to struggle with food insecurity, especially those who have risked their lives in service to our country,” said Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin President and CEO, Patti Habeck. “Together with our wonderful partners – Woodward Community Media and Pick ‘n Save – we’re working to ensure that the veterans who have protected our freedom don’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.”

Community members are encouraged to stop by anytime between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to drop off non-perishable food items or make a cash/credit card donation. Pick ‘n Save gift cards can also be purchased in-store and donated at the event. Non-perishable food donations can be placed in marked bins outside the store entrance or handed to representatives from the participating organizations.

“I am thrilled to see how this event has evolved from a drive-thru donation in the Woodward parking lot to a powerful initiative that impacts the lives of veterans in our communities,” said Roxanne Steele, Marketing Director at Woodward Community Media. “Supporting those who have served our country has always been the cornerstone of this event, and we are grateful for our community partners, including Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Jack’s Maintenance, and TDS, who have helped us realize this mission.”

Combat Hunger is free and open to the public – attendees can snap photos alongside a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) brought on-site by Oshkosh Defense and meet local radio personalities from several of Woodward Community Media’s AM and FM stations. In 2024, the drive raised 67,000 meals for veterans and their families. Combat Hunger is supported by Woodward Community Media, Pick ‘n Save, TDS Telecom, and Jack’s Maintenance Service.

“We’re incredibly grateful to be the recipients of the generous donations collected during the Combat Hunger event,” said Wisconsin Veterans Village Navigator of Veterans Services, Don Carper. “For many of our veterans, asking for help is not always easy – but events like this remind them that their service is honored, and their needs are seen. Every food donation helps lift the burden from a veteran’s shoulders and lets them know their community stands behind them.”

To learn more about how you can support veterans through the May 22 Combat Hunger event, visit FeedingAmericaWI.org/Combat.

About Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin:
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is the largest hunger relief organization in the state, with locations in Milwaukee and Appleton. Founded in 1982 by the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is an independent member of the Feeding America network. Collaborating with nearly 400 hunger relief programs including food pantries, meal programs, and shelters, the nonprofit organization provides healthy food for our neighbors in need across 35 counties in Eastern Wisconsin. To learn more about how we can all work together to solve hunger in Wisconsin, visit FeedingAmericaWI.org.

About Woodward Community Media:
Woodward Community Media (WCM) is an employee-owned company that informs, entertains and connects our communities through audio, video, digital, print and event content for our audiences and customers. Good People. Real Solutions. Shared Results. WCM operates seven media brands in the Oshkosh, Appleton, and Green Bay, Wisconsin markets, including 103.5 | 1150AM | 106.3 WHBY, 105.7 WAPL, Razor 94.7 | 104.7, 92.9 | 95.9 KISS FM, 104.3 The Fuse and 99.1 | 1570AM | 95.3 The Score, in addition to the Insight on Business publication.