By OnMilwaukee Staff Writers   Published Oct 13, 2009 at 8:08 AM
October is the third annual Dining Month on OnMilwaukee.com. All month, we're stuffed with restaurant reviews, delicious features, chef profiles, unique articles on everything food, as well as the winners of our "Best of Dining 2009."

As Dining Month continues at OnMilwaukee.com, it's important to keep in mind that there are those in our community that don't have the resources to enjoy the plethora of incredible restaurants and eateries in Milwaukee, and oftentimes, struggle to put regular meals on the table.

With Thanksgiving approaching quickly, the Hunger Task Force is looking for your help.

Usually, Hunger Task Force prepares 500 boxes for its annual Thanksgiving meal program but, due to the continued economic struggles and growing unemployment rates, the goal is to prepare 700 packages this year.

"When the weather turns cold, families have to make the choice between paying the mortgage, turning on the heat, buying coats for their kids, and putting food on the table," says Scott Marshall, Hunger Task Force's director of development.

"As the economy continues its downturn, more families than ever face the decisions like that about basic needs. Sometimes food doesn't win that battle."

Hunger Task Force welcomes any donation to stock its pantries and help with the program but is especially in need of a core item for a Thanksgiving dinner: turkeys.

"For too many people, Thanksgiving will be just another Thursday," Marshall says. "Everyone should be entitled to sit down to a turkey dinner with all the fixings and have something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving."

Those wishing to donate are asked to bring frozen turkeys to Hunger Task Force, 201 S. Hawley Ct., Monday-Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. You can keep track of the number of turkeys donated by checking out Hunger Task Force's "Turkey Ticker" signboard along I-94 near Hawley Rd.