Cousins Subs and the Milwaukee Bucks worked to Block Out Hunger in Milwaukee with a donation 2,788 pounds of food to support pantries throughout the area.

Wrapping up a third year of Block Out Hunger, this Wisconsin-based duo joined forces with Hunger Task Force to post up against food insecurity throughout the state – both on and off the court.

On the court, Cousins honored the Bucks’ 50th anniversary, by donating $50 to Hunger Task Force for every blocked shot the Bucks had throughout the team’s regular season – a total that amounts to 443 blocks and a $22,150 donation. Off the court, throughout March Cousins’ locations collected 2,788 pounds of healthy nonperishable food items in the Milwaukee area, and an overall total of 4,092 pounds across the state. Each dollar raised and pound of food collected directly supports emergency food supplies at Hunger Task Force and its affiliated pantries statewide, including 25 throughout Milwaukee.

"Hunger is an issue that every community faces and one that we can Block Out by coming together and supporting our neighbors in need," said Justin McCoy, vice president of marketing at Cousins Subs.

"We are grateful for the good will of our partners the Milwaukee Bucks and Hunger Task Force and inspired by the compassion shown by all who joined us in the fight against hunger. Together, we will make it better for those in our local communities."

Since the campaign’s inception in 2016, Cousins and the Milwaukee Bucks raised a total of $51,815 for Hunger Task Force, and the local sub shop’s Wisconsin restaurants collected 14,441 pounds of food, which stayed directly in those communities.

"Once again, we’ve seen the benefits of partnering with Cousins and Hunger Task Force to help Block Out Hunger in Wisconsin," said Matt Pazaras, senior vice president of business development and strategy for the Bucks.

"We’re thrilled with the results of this year’s campaign, and thanks to Cousins and Hunger Task Force, we’re able to make a real difference in the community in a very important area."

Cousins and the Bucks chose Hunger Task Force as the beneficiary of the Block Out Hunger campaign because it’s Milwaukee’s only Free & Local food bank, is Wisconsin’s leading anti-hunger organization and has a strong network of partnering pantries. The nonprofit collects nearly 10 million pounds of food a year and delivers it to 76 food pantries, soup kitchens and homeless shelters, which combined, serve more than 50,000 people each month. 

"The Block Out Hunger campaign is distinctive because of its reach statewide – helping make a difference for hungry families in communities throughout Wisconsin," said Sherrie Tussler, executive director of Hunger Task Force.

"After our third consecutive year, we’re excited to see that the campaign continues to grow, and we thank Cousins Subs and the Milwaukee Bucks for their dedication and support to raise awareness about hunger in a huge way!"

With 50,000 meals being served at Milwaukee County soup kitchens and shelters each month, and 16 percent of Wisconsin households with children experiencing food hardship, campaigns such as Block Out Hunger are imperative in the fight against hunger in our local communities.

On average, there are nearly 18,000 monthly household visits to Hunger Task Force-affiliated food pantries and 43,645 monthly meals served at Hunger Task Force-affiliated meal sites. 

For a closer look at how Cousins Subs and the Milwaukee Bucks helped to Block Out Hunger this season, visit cousinssubs.com/blockouthunger.