About Live Laugh Loaves MKE
Live, Laugh, Loaves MKE is a Milwaukee-based nonprofit organization dedicated to turning compassion into action by connecting surplus resources with families facing food insecurity. Founded in August 2024 by MiquelaRae Artz, the initiative began with a vision to prevent good food and usable household goods from going to waste—and instead deliver them, with dignity and hope, to the tables and homes of those who need them most. Every week, Live, Laugh, Loaves MKE provides over 20,000 food items along with clothing, blankets, pet food, furniture, and essential household necessities. The organization serves 500+ individuals and families directly through neighborhood deliveries and supports 30+ food pantries and multiple community meal programs across Milwaukee. From grocery staples, produce, dairy, and baked goods to everyday essentials that help a household function, the organization works closely with food manufacturers, distributors, vendors, and nonprofit partners to recover and reroute a vast range of resources. What began with humble bread runs has grown into a logistics-savvy, faith-driven movement reaching deep into Milwaukee’s communities.
About Live Laugh Loaves MKE Founder
The strength of Live, Laugh, Loaves MKE lies in its founder’s story and vision. At just 16 years old, MiquelaRae graduated early from Ronald Reagan High School, completed college courses through the M³ College Connections Program, and earned her Wisconsin State Nursing Assistant certification. She now studies biomedical sciences (pre-med) at Alverno College, pursuing a future in medicine grounded in empathy, service, and healing. Her mantra—‘Treat others how you wish to be treated’—is more than a principle; it is the heartbeat of the organization. MiquelaRae is an active member of Oklahoma Avenue Lutheran Church, where faith and community service intertwine. That spiritual foundation has shaped the mission of Live, Laugh, Loaves MKE in profound ways. As Pastor Hasselbrook of Oklahoma Avenue Lutheran shared, ‘Live Laugh Loaves MKE is a blessing to our neighbors. Their mission physically mirrors what our heavenly Father offers to all people: the bread of life, Jesus Christ, who fills the hungry with the good things of forgiveness and life.’ The organization’s impact has also been recognized by local leaders. Milwaukee County Supervisor Sky Z. Capriolo shared, ‘Live, Laugh, Loaves is a blessing to the community and everyone who needs a little extra help putting bread on the table for their families. I’m proud to have this hard-working family in Milwaukee County District 15! MiquelaRae Artz has taken an observation she made talking with college kids about food insecurity and put it into an actionable solution. We can always use community-minded people like MiquelaRae and her family to make our neighborhoods better places to thrive.’ Today, Live, Laugh, Loaves MKE is more than a food rescue mission—it is a catalyst for connection, rooted in love and powered by determination. With a growing network of volunteers, donors, community partners, and faith leaders, the organization is building a Milwaukee where neighbors support one another, excess becomes opportunity, and no one is forgotten at the table.
