EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin, Americans for Healthy Families, Family Friendly Wisconsin, and Working Families Power came together last week to give away Halloween costumes to Eau Claire families, helping kids celebrate the holiday as costly tariffs and harmful cuts to Medicaid and SNAP continue to raise costs for Wisconsin families. Over 50 costumes were distributed to local children, with remaining costumes donated to local nonprofits.
The event came as families face mounting financial pressures because of President Trump and Republicans in Congress including Representative Derrick Van Orden. Record-high tariffs are driving up costs on everyday items, including Halloween goods, with families expected to spend a record $114.45 per person this Halloween season—$11 more than last year. At the same time, Republican cuts to SNAP and Medicaid are forcing families to pay more out-of-pocket, while health care costs are set to spike as Republicans continue to keep the government shut down rather than extending health care tax credits.
“Congressman Van Orden and Republicans in Washington shut down the government rather than reverse their disastrous cuts to Medicaid and SNAP or stop health care costs from spiking,” said Ethan Reed, Opportunity Wisconsin Regional Organizer. “Wisconsin families are paying the price for Republicans’ decision to prioritize tax breaks for billionaires over working people. As tariffs and harmful cuts send prices of everyday items soaring, too many Eau Claire families are paying the price. Events like this show what our community is made of, but families shouldn’t have to rely on costume giveaways because their representatives in Congress refuse to do their jobs.”
Eau Claire City Council Member Nate Otto, who attended the event Thursday, emphasized the importance of community support during difficult times. “It’s wonderful to see neighbors coming together to make sure every kid can enjoy Halloween. Times are tough for a lot of families right now and knowing there are people and organizations willing to help makes a real difference. This is what community looks like.”
TJ Atkins, Executive Director of The Community Table, a local Eau Claire nonprofit, highlighted the growing challenges facing families in the area. “We’re seeing more and more families coming through our doors who are struggling to afford basic necessities like food,” said Atkins. “The cuts to federal programs like SNAP are putting incredible strain on local organizations like ours, and families are making impossible choices every day. When people can’t afford to put food on the table, something as simple as a Halloween costume becomes a luxury they just can’t manage. That’s why events like this matter so much—and why we need Congress to reverse these harmful cuts.”
In Wisconsin, 110,000 people will lose health care coverage and 17,600 people will lose SNAP benefits as a result of the Republican Tax Law. Without action from Congress to extend health care tax credits, millions of Americans face an average 75% increase in their health insurance premiums starting in November.
Congressman Van Orden has voted multiple times for President Trump’s costly tariffs and has refused to support a vote that will reopen the federal government and prevent healthcare costs from skyrocketing.
