The Story of the 44th Annual Hunger Book Sale
A Record-Breaking Success
This year marked a milestone: the 44th Annual Hunger Book Sale shattered previous records with $31,570 in sales, the highest amount ever recorded at All Saints’ Cathedral. With expenses yet to be tallied, the funds destined for hunger relief—both locally and globally—are poised to exceed any in the sale’s distinguished history.
Line in on Opening Night
A Season of Preparation and Community Spirit
Months before the sale even began, nearly 60 dedicated volunteers immersed themselves in the labor of love—sorting, organizing, and pricing books in all summer long. Their careful curation ensured a treasure-filled selection that awaited eager readers. When the doors opened, others stepped up as cashiers, setup and cleanup crews, helping the event run like clockwork.
Opening Night and Sale Days
The much-anticipated opening night took place with a $5 donation, granting exclusive early access to the troves of books. From Thursday, July 31, volunteers welcomed enthusiastic crowds for a sneak peek. Then, from Friday, August 1 through Tuesday, August 5, the sale was open daily from 11 am to 6 pm with free admission, creating an accessible and inclusive opportunity for book lovers and supporters alike.
Deep Roots, Broad Reach
What began as a modest fundraiser has grown into the largest used book sale in the Greater Milwaukee Area, raising over $570,000 cumulatively to fight hunger. Previous years’ proceeds supported a remarkable network of organizations:
Free meal sites: The Gathering, Capuchin Community Services, Open Door Café (St. John’s Cathedral), and Summerfield Methodist Church
Food programs & distribution: Interchange Program, Hunger Task Force, Jewish Community Pantry, Rescue Mission, Neighborhood House Food Pantry, Kinship Community Food Center
Local organizations with food-related missions: Sojourner Family Peace Center, Vivent Health (formerly ARCW), Repairers of the Breach, Cathedral Women’s Center, MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary, Milwaukee Guest House, Our Next Generation Homework Club
Global hunger relief: Episcopal Relief & Development, DioWis’s Haiti Partnership, Newala CMM Sisters Orphanage
A Season of Gratitude and Renewal
A heartfelt note of thanks from Lyn Aiken, Sue Cornell, Mary Kaems, Jeanne Kornkven, Kathy Nelson, and Chris Reynolds to everyone who made the sale a success: volunteers, donors, buyers, promoters, and prayer supporters.
With the sale's wrap-up swift and harmonious—by midday Wednesday, the cleanup crew had left the cathedral nearly spotless—the committee now turns to rest and reflection. They’ll reconvene in the fall to decide precisely how best to allocate this year’s generous proceeds.
