Viroqua Food Co-op announces $4,306 donation to Community Hunger Solutions

Jan. 13, 2026

by TIM HUNDT

VIROQUA, Wis. — The Viroqua Food Co-op announced a donation of $4,306 to Community Hunger Solutions (CHS), a contribution generated through the collective efforts of the grocery store’s owners and shoppers.

The funds will support the mission of Community Hunger Solutions (CHS) to source and deliver fresh produce and dairy items to more than 20 food pantries and meal sites throughout Vernon, Monroe, La Crosse, and Crawford counties.

“Your generosity is critical to our program’s ability to source and deliver fresh produce and dairy items,” said Dan from CHS, noting the ongoing support from the co-op community.

The donation was made possible through Give Where You Live (GWYL), an “owner-powered” giving program designed to raise essential funds and awareness for local schools and 501(c)3 non-profits. Since its inception, the program has raised and donated over $295,000 to local organizations.

The GWYL program operates through several fundraising streams at the register. Shoppers contribute by rounding up their transactions to the nearest dollar or by making direct monetary donations. Additionally, the Viroqua Food Co-op contributes 1% of its total sales every second Wednesday of the month— known as “1% Wednesdays”—to the monthly recipient’s total.

The selection of recipients is a democratic process driven by the co-op’s owners. The cycle begins each October when owners nominate local organizations that meet specific criteria, including being non-partisan, secular, and aligned with the co-op’s mission.

In November, owners vote on the nominees. The 11 organizations that receive the most votes are assigned a month in the following year’s register round-up schedule. The 12th month, October, is traditionally reserved for the VFC Cooperative Community Fund, which supports projects aligning with the co-op’s mission. Organizations are assigned to specific months based on a ranking of historical monthly sales totals, matching the most-voted organizations with the highest-sales months.

As a member-owned grocery store, the Viroqua Food Co-op operates under international cooperative principles, which emphasize democratic member control and concern for the community. The GWYL program serves as a primary vehicle for this community commitment, turning small change at the register into significant local impact.