EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – In case you missed it, Opportunity Wisconsin joined State Representative Jodi Emerson, Ramone’s Ice Cream Parlor, and local leaders to kick off a food drive in Eau Claire yesterday and raise awareness of devastating cuts that threaten to take food away from Wisconsin families in need.
Speakers at the kickoff highlighted Congressman Derrick Van Orden’s vote to make massive cuts to food assistance programs as part of the Republican Tax Law. In Wisconsin alone, as many as 90,000 people will lose SNAP benefits. Meanwhile, families and small businesses are already paying higher prices for food and other essential items as Republican tariffs increase inflation.
“No family should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from or how they’ll afford groceries, yet that is the current reality for too many Wisconsinites. Instead of alleviating this crisis, Congressman Van Orden and Republicans in Congress are taking food from their constituents and raising prices to give more tax breaks to the wealthy,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Regional Lead Ethan Reed during yesterday’s event. “When our elected representatives abandon their constituents, it’s up to all of us to step up. That’s exactly what we’re seeing here today—local leaders, small businesses, and community members coming together to support our neighbors in need. We’re grateful to be able to support local organizations who are helping those in need, and we’re proud to partner with small businesses like Ramone’s Ice Cream Parlor who are so important for our state’s economic success.”
“I’m also a recipient of Medicaid and FoodShare, and I appreciate The Community Table very much,” added Lars Espeland, a community member who joined Thursday’s event. “I just want to say that with the loss of benefits that we have coming in, I fear that this place won’t be the same kind of bastion of hope that this city, and this country, really wants.”
Through the end of the month, anyone who delivers a non-perishable food item to Ramone’s Ice Cream Parlor will receive a certificate for a free cone or dish. All donations will be given to The Community Table in Eau Claire to support community members in need.
