VIROQUA, Wis. (AP) — A local outreach program has opened a Little Free Pantry to help Vernon County residents facing food insecurity after federal cuts eliminated Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for thousands in Wisconsin.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors, the community outreach arm of the Vernon County Democratic Party, launched the pantry at 122 N. Main St., Suite B, in Viroqua. It will operate Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 6 p.m.
The move comes as the Trump administration’s budget cuts and a government shutdown halted SNAP funding nationwide. About 700,000 Wisconsin residents, including 2,560 in Vernon County, lost benefits Nov. 1. Most affected are working families with children, seniors and people with disabilities. Until this week, recipients averaged $138 a month, or $4.54 a day.
From May through September, Neighbors Helping Neighbors raised $2,400 and collected 800 pounds of food for six local pantries, including La Farge Food Pantry, Kickapoo Schools Weekend Food Program, Good Samaritan Food Pantry, Bethel Butikk Food Pantry, Living Faith Food Pantry and Kickapoo Area Food Pantry.
“As a volunteer at the pantry, I see how much these donations mean to people,” said Maggie Van Alstyne, who volunteers at Bethel Butikk. “I’m grateful that organizations like the Vernon County Democrats are stepping up to support our community.”
The public is invited to donate unopened, nonperishable foods and personal care items to the Little Free Pantry during its regular hours.
Area food pantries:
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