The 2008/2009 Regional Hunger Forums: A Success!

In the fall of 2008, the Wisconsin Food Security Consortium hosted four regional Hunger Forums as a follow up to the 2007 Wisconsin Hunger Summit. The Forums took place in Richland Center, Rhinelander, Racine, and Rice Lake. The success and positive feedback generated from each of these regions inspired two additional Forums in the Spring of 2009: in Superior and Wisconsin Dells.

The 2008 Regional Hunger Forums and the subsequent 2009 Forums were designed to build on the ideas and discussions that began at the Summit and offer opportunities to meet others in your area that are combating hunger, from state policymakers to local volunteers.

The original forums were held in 4 locations across Wisconsin:

Southwest

Ending Hunger in Wisconsin:
Setting the Table for Action
September 23, 2008 9:00am-3:30pm at the White House (Ramada Inn), Richland Center
Agenda Press Release

Northeast

Ending Hunger in Northeast Wisconsin:
Setting the Table for Action
October 15, 2008, 9am- 4:00pm at the Quality Inn, Rhinelander
Brochure Press Release

Southeast

Stepping Up to the Plate
October 22, 2008, 9:30am-4:00pm at Gateway Technical College, Racine
Press Release Driving Directions and Campus Map

Northwest

Northwest Wisconsin Regional Hunger Forum:
Hungering for Solutions
October 30, 2008, 9:30am-3pm at Bethany Lutheran Church, Rice Lake
Press Release

Participants were welcome to attend more than one forum or to travel to a forum which best represents their local needs and concerns.

Attendees of all forums were encouraged to become familiar with Ending Hunger in Wisconsin prior to attending.

Summary of Hunger Forum evaluation data

90% of respondants said they increased their knowledge on the issues of hunger and food insecurity in their region.
80% of respondants said the Forums motivated them to contribute to a collaborative response to hunger.
53% of respondants said they had already viewed Ending Hunger in Wisconsin. Of those who had not, 85% were planning to view it after the Forum.
When asked to commit to an action based on the information presented at the Forums, 100% of respondants listed an action. These included such ideas as: "Work for outreach on FoodShare, BC+, ACCESS," "Educate the leaders in my company/area/community," "Contact my legislator," and "Work toward a community garden," among many others.

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Support for this site has been made possible by the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Council of Churches, and the Wisconsin Community Action Program Association.