Blog
Grief is the Luxury of the Safe
I know we reach out from time to time when we’re in need of specific help. But over the last 18 years, people have just

A Family
The snow is falling outside the doors of our pantries but there are families arriving in thin jackets, sandals with socks. For some of them
We Give Ourselves Away
I know we reach out from time to time when we’re in need of specific help. But over the last 18 years, people have just

AmeriCorps Reflections — Nina Gaulin
The value in my AmeriCorps service term reaches far and wide, but I don’t think it solely lies within the skills I’ve gained or my

Making Connections
In a post pandemic world – where the world is both connected through media like Zoom and feeling isolated at the same time. We need

What do we do now?
If we are to answer the question of “what do we do now?”, we have to first know what story we are living in. In

The Scars of Hunger
Hunger leaves many scars in the lives it touches. Not just physically–no, hunger leaves emotional and spiritual scars. Scars that are not easily healed, even

Being Known
Every Tuesday morning, I pick up items from our Despensa de la Paz food pantry for our sister organization, StreetLife Communities, a homeless outreach program

Heart Work
Katrina Ramsey is the Volunteer and Outreach Manager for Friedens and our partner organization, StreetLife Communities. She’s worked with our organization for two years, and

Food Banks Can Address Food Insecurity (EN ESPAÑOL)
Para los miembros hispanohablantes de nuestra comunidad — información acerca de bancos de alimentos. Vea este video para aprender más! For our Spanish-speaking community members

Christmas Reflections
Our food pantry was open on Christmas morning. We didn’t expect as many clients as a normal week but we were there to serve whoever

Giving Voice to the Community Through Board Service
(Pictured above: Esme and youth from her church’s youth group volunteer together at a Friedens community event.) Meet Esmeralda Martinez, one of Friedens’ newest board

2020-2021 Former AmeriCorps Reflections
As a new AmeriCorps term begins, we had our former AmeriCorps members reflect on their time here at Friedens. “The value in my AmeriCorps

Food Justice IS Racial Justice
Joint Statement issued by Friedens’ Executive, Staff, and Board members: At Frieden’s Community Pantries, we are striving to understand our role in both the unjust

Friedens Featured in Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Friedens was honored to be featured in the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service earlier this month!! Check out the full article here!

Transformational Culture – by Pastor Max Ramsey
Culture is defined as the attitudes and behavior characteristic of a particular social group. There are ways of understanding poverty that we hold in common

Pandemic Reflection – by David Nelson
The pandemic began in earnest just over one year ago here in MKE. Nobody could imagine what was to come in the months ahead. Life

Despensa Morning Crew
Our Despensa de la Paz pantry would be nothing without our morning crew. Self-dubbed “The Three Musketeers,” Lonnie, Jimmy, and Brian are at the very

Saturday Reflection – by David Nelson
Saturday – February 27, 2021 So many people want to help but don’t know what to do or where to start. Start small and go

Faces of Friedens: Dispensing Joy
Volunteer Richard talks about giving and receiving joy at the pantries!

January Reflection – by Pastor Max Ramsey
We got to see some amazing things, today. It was zero degrees this morning and I saw someone give their coat to another person who

Faces of Friedens: Meeting Needs and Making Impacts
Despensa volunteers Sam and Max discuss meeting the community’s needs and making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve!

In Giving, We Receive – by Cheryl Ousley
It was an ordinary day, much like any other day at the pantry where community members wait for their groceries. Many faces come and go,

New Years’ Eve Reflection – by Sophia Torrijos
A new year is on the horizon and with it comes new hope and new challenges. Friedens couldn’t have made it through the previous year

Faces of Friedens: Lifting Spirits
Friedens volunteer Florida talks about empathizing with the pain of the community and lifting their spirits through service.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Friedens Community Ministries would like to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all of our volunteers, staff, community partners, and everyone who has kept Friedens running

Faces of Friedens: Providing Hope
Friedens volunteer and Eagle Scout, Vishnu, talks about completing his Eagle project for Despensa and working to provide hope to the community.

Faces of Friedens: Giving and Receiving
Despensa site manager Max discusses approaching service from a place of vulnerability and both giving and receiving through service.

Faces of Friedens: Preparing to Serve
Friedens volunteers Rachel and Annette describe the process of getting the Despensa de la Paz pantry ready to serve the community every weekend.

Faces of Friedens: Trustworthy and Dependable
Friedens volunteer Lonnie discusses how Friedens food pantries have remained pillars of dependability and positivity amidst the uncertainties of 2020.

Faces of Friedens: Meeting the Community’s Needs
Friedens Site Manager Cheryl breaks down how operations have changed to continue to meet the needs of the community during COVID.

The Gathering – by David Nelson
The place will not be open for another four hours and yetthe people gather. There are three sets of numbers labeled “1-100” in colors ofgreen,

This is Our Community – by Sophia Torrijos
There is an emerging rhythm to things now. So much has changed over the past few months, but best practices are re-emerging in new processes.
Friedens Pantries exists because of the support of our neighbors
With multiple food distribution programs that distribute more than 1.3 million pounds of food to our neighbors each year and wrap-around support that helps clients achieve a sense of belonging and empowerment, Friedens Pantries aims to end hunger and create a safe space for all. Make your impact today!