CAGE barbecue in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE – A hot summer treat was set to unite a Milwaukee neighborhood on Sunday – one man gave to hundreds of people for his birthday.
Andre Lee Ellis and his organization CAGE, which stands for Community Agricultural Growing Experiences, served free hamburgers and hot dogs.
“I know that if we give people food, we might also make them happy deep down inside,” Ellis said.
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Ellis’ work as a community organizer never stops, not even on his birthday. He turns 64 on Tuesday.
“Last year we gave away bicycles. Today we’re giving away 500 signs,” he said. “We’re providing food to the community here on Tuetonia and Burleigh Street.”
Ellis and his community partners are urging people to put down their guns to reduce crime.
“We live in difficult times today,” said Michelle Pitts, owner of The New Pitts Mortuary, “a lot of stress, a lot of mental illness.”
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“We have some problems. There are a lot of shootings, a lot of things happening,” Ellis said. “Today I just wanted to send a message of peace.”
Ellis’ message reached 17-year-old Izaiah Cole, a CAGE volunteer who was helping out behind the grill.
CAGE barbecue in Milwaukee
“Seeing people happy is the most important thing,” Cole said. “Seeing people happy, no one is sad, no one is fighting. They all enjoy the food.”
The communal barbecue was all about food and togetherness.
“To bring the resources in and make sure our sons and daughters can live the lives that children should live,” Ellis said. “They don’t have to do what adults do.”
