Feel Good Friday: Hitting Hunger Out the Park at Sargento Summer Sizzle

During the school year, as many as nearly 60% of students in the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) are eligible for free and reduced lunches. During the summer, these children don’t always know when and where their next meal will be.

Heidi Chada, Vice President of Employment and Commercial services at Milwaukee Centers for Independence (MCFI) says “Hunger does not take the summer off.” This is why one of our long-time hunger relief partners, Hunger Task Force, has created a program alongside MCFI to provide thousands of meals to children at locations across Milwaukee throughout the summer.

In the 6th season of our Double Helping for Hunger program as the Official Cheese of the Milwaukee Brewers, we partnered with the Milwaukee Brewers for a day of action - creating an exciting, welcoming experience for the children when they stopped by for their lunch. 

“The Summer Food Service Program fills a huge gap during the summer months to help combat food insecurity when school is not in session.  Hunger is a complex issue, and it takes our entire community to help address the issue,” says Heidi.

“Sargento continues to be a critical partner in our efforts to end hunger and we are so grateful for their continued leadership,” says Matt King, Executive Director of Hunger Task Force. “Joining forces with the Milwaukee Brewers to host a fun afternoon for local kids was a highlight of the summer.”

Louie Gentine, third generation CEO of Sargento had a big smile as he passed the children their lunch trays.

Sarge, the mascot at Sargemto, was dancing around, as well as Bernie Brewer and Barrelman, as the children laughed and offered up plenty of high-fives and hugs. 

Sal Frelick and Blake Perkins - both center fielders for the Milwaukee Brewers - tried their hand at games off of the baseball diamond by playing Bags, Jenga, as well as hula hooping as the children giggled, showing the players how it’s done.

Vice President HR and Community Relations Karen Lepisto, Director Corporate Public Relations Portia Young and Food Safety Microbiologist Takiyah Ball brought the children together by sharing all the different ways there are to play with a parachute.

Manager – Payroll and Compensation Amanda Western and Manager HR Projects and Facilities Amanda Schubert conducted the face-painting table as the children’s smiles glistened in the sun. 

Amanda Schubert reflected on her time face-painting throughout the day.

“Most kids had multiple face paintings done. Everything from baseballs, to rainbows, to hearts. Each facepainting was unique in its own way, either by color, or the placement on the cheek, forehead or arm. Every kid went away with a smile and that is why doing these types of events is so important. Something as simple as facepainting can bring pure joy! I was very happy to be part of this event and that Sargento supports such great initiatives.”

Amanda Western almost got a chance to paint the Brewers players’ faces while enjoying her time in the community.

“I think the best part was being able to witness Blake Perkins and Sal Frelick interacting with the kids, including many of the children trying to convince them to get a face painting. I had hope, then panicked and thought, ‘If I have to face paint a Brewers player, I don’t know what I’d do.’ I think they were both saved by having to get to their game at American Family Field, or the kids might have convinced them,” she laughed. “Giving back is just who I am. It’s one of those things that fill my cup. It’s these events that remind me there is so much good in the world yet, you just have to look around and find it. It takes a lot of people who care to come together to make these things happen, the little support I can offer goes along way.”

At Sargento, we have a commitment to fighting hunger, both in our local communities and beyond. As a part of this commitment, Sargento donated the cheese to MCFI for the meals served to the children at Merrill Park, as well as throughout the city that day. The children enjoyed Sargento slices on their burgers and Sargento cheese sticks. In total, Sargento provided cheese for over 1,550 lunches that were distributed across locations in Milwaukee.

We have donated nearly $250,000 through the Double Helping for Hunger program, in which $200 is donated to Hunger Task Force for every double that the Milwaukee Brewers score. Additionally, we have donated nearly $2 million through the Touchdowns for Hunger program, in which $2,000 is donated to food pantries in Wisconsin for every touchdown the Green Bay Packers score. While donating the money is important, we also have a desire to ensure the Sargento Family has the opportunities to be out in the community, with their boots on the ground, fighting against hunger.