Local
Milwaukee's 2026 Holiday Drive Launches Monday, Benefiting Metcalfe Park People's Pantry
Mayor Cavalier Johnson and County Board Chair Marcelia Nicholson-Bovell will kick off the 2026 Holiday Drive on Monday, with donations going to the Metcalfe Park People's Pantry. Residents can drop off food and personal care items at nine locations across the city and county.
Milwaukee's annual Holiday Drive returns Monday morning, with Mayor Cavalier Johnson and County Board Chair Marcelia Nicholson-Bovell set to launch the 2026 collection effort. The drive, which began in 2007, gathers perishable food, reusable tote bags, baby wipes, deodorant and other essential goods for neighbors in need.
This year's beneficiary is the Metcalfe Park People's Pantry, a food distribution initiative run by Metcalfe Park Community Bridges. The organization operates a community-powered fridge that stocks fresh produce for residents in the Metcalfe Park neighborhood.
The city and county sponsor the drive, with additional support from the Brewers Community Foundation. Donations can be dropped off at nine locations:
- Capitol Branch library, 3969 N. 74th Street - Zablocki Branch library, 3501 W. Oklahoma Avenue - East Branch library, 2320 N. Cramer Street - Community Reintegration Center, 8885 S. 68th Street - Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, 3624 W. North Avenue, 2nd floor - Milwaukee County Courthouse, 901 N. 9th Street - Milwaukee City Hall Rotunda, 200 E. Wells Street - Marcia P. Coggs Services Center, 1220 W. Vliet Street - Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Bluemound Road
The drive comes as food insecurity remains a pressing concern for many Milwaukee households, and community-led pantries like the one in Metcalfe Park have become vital neighborhood resources. Organizers say the annual effort relies on residents' generosity to keep shelves stocked through the holiday season.