Grand Slam Day: Fighting Hunger at Sargento Summer Sizzle

With the sun shining and smiles filling Merrill Park, mascot Sarge and his pal Bernie Brewer helped bring extra joy to lunchtime as a meal was served to local children.

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt and pitcher Logan Henderson joined the fun, serving Sargento cheeseburgers alongside Sr. VP of Supply Chain Keith Hartlaub, Hunger Task Force Chief Strategy Officer Jonathan Hanson, Brewers President of Business Operations Rick Schlesinger and Brewers Community Foundation Executive Director Cecelia Gore.

Community Outreach is at the heart of who we are, and this year’s Double Helping for Hunger Day of Action was a true grand slam. In partnership with Hunger Task Force, the Milwaukee Brewers and Centers for Independence, we helped create a memorable day for more than 100 children across the Milwaukee community.

As quoted by CBS 58, Hanson shared why Hunger Task Force’s summer meals program is so important: “Summer is an especially important time because it is the peak season for childhood hunger. Today, we served more than 100 meals. Across all of our summer meal sites, we expect to serve more than 500,000 meals to local kids in Milwaukee County. Community support makes that possible.”

After lunch, Brewers rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt and pitcher Logan Henderson continued the fun by handing out popsicles, playing with a giant parachute and passing out Sargento bags filled with goodies from each organization that helped bring the event to life.

Since 2018, Sargento has donated more than $400,000 to help fight hunger in the Milwaukee area through its Double Helping for Hunger program, which donates $200 to Hunger Task Force for every double the Milwaukee Brewers hit. While financial support is an important part of our commitment to community outreach, it is just as meaningful for the Sargento Family to spend time in the community and make a difference firsthand.

Project Management Coordinator Michelle Polster, who volunteered for the second year, said the experience was both rewarding and humbling.

“Volunteering to help those in need is incredibly rewarding and a humbling reminder that food insecurity remains an issue for too many people,” she said. “I appreciate that Sargento partners with organizations like Hunger Task Force to help bridge that gap, especially for children who may not receive proper nourishment during the summer months. The face painting is a blast, and seeing the joy on the children’s faces makes it all worthwhile. As a lifelong Brewers fan, it is also fun to interact with Bernie, the Racing Sausages and the players.”

Michelle was joined by Sr. Manager HR Service Center, Amanda Schubert.

“This was my second year volunteering at this amazing event, bringing the community together to help feed children in need. We painted countless faces, shared lots of smiles, and my favorite part was watching a little girl follow Sarge around throughout the event calling him 'Mr. Cheese.'”

At Sargento, Community Outreach goes beyond donations. It is about showing up, giving back and helping the communities we call home.