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With one month to go before the election, the Milwaukee Buckspartnered with Michelle Obamas nonpartisan organization When We All Voteon Saturdayto register voters and distribute groceries.

We know that voter registration is down because there arent a lot of in-person events, organizer JordanBrooks said. We also know that people need food and need supplies right now.

Dozens of cars, some with multiple eligible voters, drove through theproperty south of Fiserv Forum, on the grounds of the old Bradley Center, to register to vote andreceive groceries and masks at the Fuel the Vote event.

Nyla Almujaahid hands out voter registration information during Fuel the Vote outside Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Saturday.(Photo: Rick Wood / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Volunteers were reminded before the event started that it is nonpartisan and they should not be advocating for any particular candidate.

BucksSeniorVice President AlexLasrysaid the organizationand the NBA have made access to voting a focus of activity off the court.

We need to make sure people are registered and aware of all the local elections that go on,Lasrysaid. Thats going to have the most impact on our community. I think thats something that we take very seriously.

Lasrysaid the Bucks want to be a community team, which is why starting Oct. 20 through Nov. 1 voters can go to Fiserv Forum for early voting.

What weve seen, especially in the April election, is coronavirus has disproportionately affected communities of color and their ability to vote,Lasrysaid.

Wisconsin Congresswoman Gwen Moore said food insecurity has increased during the pandemic.

"I'm giving back to the community," says Sean Raclaw as he volunteers to load boxes of food and other supplies into people's vehicles outside Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee Saturday. The food distribution was part of a Fuel the Vote event hosted by the Milwaukee Bucks. Fuel the Vote is a national effort to register voters started by Michelle Obama. The food distribution effort was to help those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.(Photo: Rick Wood / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Right here in the city of Milwaukee, pre-pandemic, one-fourth of African American children were going to bed hungry and now during this pandemic, we find that a quarter of families, white families with children, are food insecure, Moore said.When we vote we can address chronic hunger in our country. When we vote, we can take control of our lives. ... Right now we want to meet people at the level of their need.

Adrianna Humphrey, a volunteer, said it is important for people to be able to register to vote while being as safe as possible.

RELATED: How to register to vote and get an absentee ballot in Wisconsin

People are very concerned with whats going on with the pandemic and their health, Humphrey said. We had one lady who came through and was in tears. Her family is having a hard time and she wasnt sure how she was going to register to vote, so she was able to do that today at this event.SoI think this is giving another level of access for people in the community to register.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett loads a box of food into a vehicle Saturday during the Fuel the Vote event outside Fiserv Forum.(Photo: Rick Wood / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett called voting the "ultimate participatory sport."

What you see here is anall-outfull-court press to try to get people registered (and) to try to help them where they need help. There are people in our community who are hurting, Barrettsaid.We have an obligation to do everything we can to help them and a big part of that is making sure people help themselves by getting involved in this election.

Milwaukee resident Corliss Smith heard about the opportunity to register and receive groceriesand thoughtwhy not take it?

Im absolutely for voting and the importance of it, especially right now, Smith said. Its important for everyone (to register to vote) but I just wish it was as easy, as it is for me, for other people and I know its not.

RELATED: Five mistakes to avoid if you're voting by mail in Wisconsin

The value of voting was instilled inMarkell Thompsonby his father, a former city worker.

He made sure when we were all of age that we did vote, Thompson saidjust after registering. He knew it was an important thing. And its important, I have children ... and if I dont vote I think What will happen to them? And I make it a point to be out here.

Thompson said its good to see people receiving assistance with food beyond just registering to vote.

Theyre just helping people, Thompson said. And more so now than ever with everything going on ... to find people that are still out here caring for people, its a big thing.

While waiting in her car Samia Johnson was calling family members and directing them to the event.

After Johnsonregistered to voteandreceived some cannedfood, shewas shocked to receive a $25 grocery gift card at the event.

Oh wow, isnt that a blessing, Johnson saidto the volunteer. Im about to start crying.

Before coming to the event, Johnson said she was at a food pantry atVillage Churchon North 2ndStreet and West Juneau Avenue,getting more food for her family.

Its beenrealrough by me not being able to work right now and my unemployment is taking forever, Johnson said.

Johnson said shes starting to educate herself on the candidates and issues leading up to the election.

I wasnt really educated on it (in the past), Johnson said. Now that Im educated on it, I can make the right decisions that I feel are for me. ... Were just in those times where its very important to get out and vote, to make a difference.

Wisconsinites can register to vote atmyvote.wi.gov,by mail, in a clerk's office or at the polls.

They will need proof of residence, such as a driver's license, utility bill, pay stub or other document. They will also have to provide their Wisconsin driver's license number, if they have one, or the last four digits of their Social Security number if they don't have a license.

The deadline for registering by mail or through myvote.wi.gov is normally Oct. 14 but a federal judge recently said he would extend it to Oct. 21. That deadline could change on appeal.

The deadline for registering in a clerk's office is Oct. 30.

Those whomiss those deadlinescan register at the polls on Election Day.

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'This is giving another level of access': Milwaukee Bucks partner with Michelle Obama group to host drive up voter registration - Milwaukee Journal...