People Helping People… Project Concern of Cudahy & St. Francis

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Project Concern’s Mission: To compassionately provide a path to self-sufficiency by providing basic needs such as food, clothing and referrals to additional community resources.

Project Concern’s History: In 1968, a group of caring people recognized that bad things can happen to good people and that some of their community members needed help. So they started a food pantry. The pantry was named Project Concern of Cudahy/St. Francis. St. Frederick’s Catholic church, (currently Nativity of the Lord) gave the group permission to house the food pantry in a small room in the lower level of the church. Soon the pantry grew and included the distribution of clothing and household items.

Community interest also grew and a number of local congregations joined together to help the endeavor. With continuing support from sponsoring parishes, individuals, community groups and local businesses, Project Concern has evolved to meet its mission to lend support to families and individuals in need. Project Concern is currently supported by the following congregations:

  • Nativity of the Lord Catholic Church
  • Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
  • St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church
  • St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
  • Changing Lives Assembly of God

Project Concern provides food, clothing, furniture, books, toys and household items to hundreds of families per month. Project Concern also works with many different agencies and support organizations to provide outreach for clients that qualify for any number of the social service programs that are available.

Project Concern had partnered with Interfaith for Older Adults programs to provide staff support and management. In 2010, the formal partnership was dissolved giving the food pantry flexibility in hiring and personnel practices. In 2011, Project Concern and Cudahy/St. Francis Interfaith Program for the Elderly (CSFI) merged their offices and supervision. Each program continues to maintain its own identity while improving efficiencies through collaboration.

In 2018, Project Concern became a “My Plate” food pantry as designated by Hunger Task Force. This means that the pantry follows the USDA model for healthy eating by providing our patrons with fresh produce, dairy items and lean protein.

In 2018, Project Concern changed operations and became a My-Choice food pantry. This allows our patrons to shop and choose the food they want instead of being given pre-packed items. This results in better use of the food for our families. It also allows our patrons to consider their dietary needs while shopping for food.

Project Concern is a proud partner with both Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee and Feeding America.  Both organizations help Project Concern keep our shelves and refrigerators stocked with healthy and nutritious food selections for our families in need.  It would be impossible for us to provide emergency food for the nearly one-thousand families that come to us for help, without the amazing generosity of Hunger Task Force and Feeding America, along with their supply-chain partners.  Next time you see either organization holding a drive or event, be sure to stop by and help them, as they help all the Food Pantries and Meal Sites here in Milwaukee County!

If you wish to file a Civil Rights Program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Compliant Form found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to:

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Director, Office of Adjudication
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington D.C., 20250-9410
Fax: 202-690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.

Project Concern of Cudahy-St. Francis Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer. We do not discriminate against customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or where all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities).

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339 or 800-845-6136 (Spanish)

For any other information dealing with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) issues, persons should either contact the USDA SNAP Hotline Number at 800-221-5689, which is also in Spanish, or call the State Information/Hotline Numbers (click the link for a listing of hotline numbers by State) found online at http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/contact_info/hotlines.htm

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.