Community partners in Eau Claire and La Crosse stepped up to help neighbors in need while Republicans continue to drive up prices and cut food assistance
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin today announced the conclusion of its “Cones for a Cause” food drive, which collected more than 550 pounds of food and hygiene supplies to support Wisconsin families in need.
The food drive was launched in response to devastating Republican cuts to SNAP benefits, included in the recently enacted Republican Tax Law that Congressmen Bryan Steil and Van Orden voted for. The law rips food away from up to 90,000 Wisconsin families, while tariffs continue to drive up the cost of groceries and other essentials for working families across the state.
The drive collected 250 pounds of food at Ramone’s Ice Cream Parlor in Eau Claire for The Community Table and over 300 pounds of food and hygiene supplies at The Pearl in La Crosse which were donated to The Hunger Task Force and Hope Restores in La Crosse. Customers who donated a non-perishable food item at the ice cream shops received a free cone in exchange for their donation.
Federal data continues to show the crushing impact of Republican policies on Wisconsin families. Recent Consumer Price Index data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows consumer prices rising thanks to expanded tariffs, with economists warning that consumers could soon see additional increases as tariffs continue to be implemented.
Both Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden voted multiple times to support these tariff policies and have remained silent as costs continue to increase for Wisconsin families.
“Wisconsin families are getting hit twice—first with higher prices at the store thanks to Trump’s tariffs, then with major cuts to health care and food assistance included in the Republican Tax Law that will drive up their costs—all to pay for tax breaks for the wealthy,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “We’re so grateful to the Wisconsinites who stepped up to support this food drive and our local partners, Ramone’s and The Pearl, for making this event a success.”
