The data isn’t new. Nearly 46.5 million Americans are affected by hunger, including close to 170,000 right here in Milwaukee.

But, what most people don’t know is that one key element to meet the needs of the hungry is often missing. And it’s something the Dairy State produces in spades: milk.

According to Laura Wilford, director of the Wisconsin Dairy Council, milk is one of the items most requested by food bank clients yet there’s a nationwide shortage because it is rarely donated.

"Food bank clients receive the equivalent of less than one gallon of milk per person per year," Wilford notes, "Leaving many families without access to milk’s essential nutrients, including 8 grams of high-quality protein per serving and three of the top nutrients most likely to be missing in the American diet – calcium, vitamin D and potassium."

Findings from Feeding America’s newly released Hunger in America Study 2014, the largest study of its kind analyzing the impact of hunger on Americans today, are truly alarming. For the millions of Americans struggling with food insecurity, the study noted that opting for unhealthy foods or even watering down food and drinks are common coping strategies – strategies that directly impact health and nutrition.

"Feeding America serves 37 million Americans each year through its network of food banks, and in a new survey, 95 percent of these food banks said they do not receive enough milk to meet the demand," Wilford says. "The No. 1 reason cited is inadequate milk donations."

In response, last April Feeding America launched The Great American Milk Drive, the first-ever nationwide program to deliver highly desired and nutrient-rich gallons of milk to hungry families who need it.

Since the kick-off, 6,145 gallons of milk have been donated in Wisconsin to feed the nearly 724,000 families food banks serve.

But, more is needed.

"All children need nutritious food and drinks to have the best start in life," said Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP, medical editor of HealthyChildren.org. "Good nutrition is necessary for health, growth, and learning, and milk provides many of these essential nutrients. The American Academy of Pediatrics is pleased to help raise awareness about ways all families can help each other in their communities, including how to help those who may need better access to beneficial food and drinks."

And Wilford says that part of the goal of the initiative is to put milk back on the radar as an important part of the fight against hunger.

"We hope that by drawing attention to the problem of milk lacking in food banks, we’ll inspire Americans to make it a habit of donating milk to their community food banks."

How can you help?

The Great American Milk Drive makes it easy to donate gallons of milk to those in your community via a simple click of a mouse (milklife.com/give) or text message (text "Milk" to 27722).

In addition, now through Oct. 12, Wisconsin residents can donate gallons of milk to The Great American Milk Drive at Roundy’s supermarkets through a partnership with local milk company Kemps. All donations collected at Roundy’s or online are delivered back to local Wisconsin food banks.

For more information on the importance of milk in solving the hunger crisis, visit milklife.com