Feeding America Launches Holiday Hunger Drive
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and comedian Charlie Berens kick off a holiday campaign with a dollar-for-dollar matching gift.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin has launched its 2026 Food for the Holidays campaign with comedian Charlie Berens, running November 10 through December 31. An anonymous donor will match every dollar donated during the campaign.
Why it matters
Feeding America's most recent Map the Meal Gap survey found that 1-in-7 people and 1-in-5 children in Eastern Wisconsin are facing hunger. The matching gift is intended to increase the total funds raised for food assistance during the holiday season.
Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap survey places hunger at 1-in-7 people and 1-in-5 children in Eastern Wisconsin. The campaign's total fundraising goal and final match cap were not disclosed in the source material.
The players
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin
A regional food bank network affiliated with the national Feeding America organization, serving food-insecure communities across Eastern Wisconsin.
Charlie Berens
A Wisconsin-born comedian and host known for his folksy humor and regional Midwestern television and stage work.
The details
Supporters can donate online at FeedingAmericaWI.org/Holidays, where gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar through December 31. The campaign is fronted by comedian Charlie Berens and funded in part by an anonymous matching donor.
Timeline
November 10, 2026: Food for the Holidays campaign begins.
December 31, 2026: Campaign and matching gift opportunity end.
Market Landscape
Seasonal fundraising drives by food banks often cluster in the November-December window, when charitable giving traditionally peaks. Matching-gift campaigns like this one are a common tool used to encourage new and larger donations during that period.
Donations made during the campaign directly fund food distribution to households struggling with hunger. Readers who give can have each dollar doubled through the matching gift until December 31.
The takeaway
A matched gift doubles the impact of every donation made before the deadline. Giving early in the campaign window ensures your contribution is counted toward the match.
What happens next
The matching-gift window closes December 31, 2026, when donors can no longer have their gifts matched.
Further reading
Explore more Philanthropy coverage tied to giving campaigns across Wisconsin.
More information
Give and have your gift matched on the Food for the Holidays donation page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WLUK.
Live Poll
Do you think hunger is getting better or worse in your area?
