By Mrinal Gokhale
Milwaukee Bucks dancers pose with Bucks and Cousins Subs mascots at the Hunger Task Force. Photo by Mrinal Gokhale.
The Hunger Task Force and Cousins Subs, along with the Milwaukee Bucks, officially announced the Block Out Hunger Campaign on Tues, March 1 at a 10 a.m. press conference at the Hunger Task Force (201 S. Hawley Ct.).
The Hunger Task Force is Milwaukee’s only free and local food bank and the leading anti-hunger organization in Wisconsin, providing 9 million pounds of food a year to a network of 74 food pantries, soup kitchens and homeless shelters, according to Sherrie Tussler, executive director of the Hunger Task Force.
“Each month in Milwaukee County, 35,000 people receive help from local food pantries and 60,000 meals are served at soup kitchens and shelters,” added Tussler.
She said the Hunger Task Force has been trying to get a partnership with the Milwaukee Bucks for a while. She feels this campaign will increase awareness of Milwaukee’s rising need for food among sports fans.
Justin McCoy, vice president of marketing at Cousins Subs, also attended the press conference. He said Cousins will donate up to $10,000 at the end of the basketball season, based on how many shots the Bucks block in every game this season.
“We will keep track of the number of blocked shots and we will donate at the end of the season,” said McCoy.
Furthermore, more than 100 Wisconsin Cousins Subs locations are allowing customers to donate three non-perishable food items which will go to the Hunger Task Force. In return, with a qualifying purchase, Cousins gives a free sub and a voucher for a Bucks game ticket. This deal lasts throughout March.
“The voucher will be a buy one, get one deal for Bucks tickets,” said McCoy.
The Bucks dancers, Cousins and Bucks mascots, and Jim Paschke, voice of the Milwaukee Bucks also were in attendance.
“We’re going to talk about it during games. Fox Sports Wisconsin will be involved. We’ll also publicize the campaign through radio and other advertising,” said Paschke. Visit www.bucks.com/blockouthunger to learn more about the campaign.