FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org
ICYMI: “Cones for a Cause” food drive launches as more Wisconsinites will go hungry because of Republican cuts to SNAP, rising food costs
Ahead of National Ice Cream Day this Sunday, Opportunity Wisconsin has partnered with Ramone’s to offer free ice cream for every food donation to The Community Table
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.
See more coverage of yesterday's announcement below:
WEAU 13: Community leaders continue to sound off on "Big Beautiful Bill" effects on SNAP Benefits
Blayne Midthun, Democratic State Representative Jodi Emerson and other community leaders spoke at Ramone's Ice Cream parlor Thursday morning about the impact of federal cuts to SNAP benefits.
They say the Big Beautiful Bill is impacting SNAP benefits by creating cuts to the program. Limiting the food stamps program is something they said would put families at risk of hunger. They also expressed concerns about rise in demand for food pantries.
"As a small business owner it’s tough sometimes to make margins work and to have that profit there. Myself and my family had to rely on these programs as well," said Midthun.
"We're also helping people eat. We're keeping kids from being hungry. We're keeping seniors from being hungry. This is something that is critically important that is often overlooked," said State Rep. Emerson.
WKBT: Eau Claire ice cream shop offering free cones for non-perishable food donations
A local ice cream shop has partnered with community leaders to launch a food drive that offers sweet incentives for charitable giving.
Ramone's Ice Cream Parlor in Eau Claire is providing customers with a free cone or dish when they bring a non-perishable food item to the shop.
The food drive comes as Wisconsin faces potential federal cuts that could strip SNAP benefits from up to 90,000 state residents. Community leaders say the timing makes the food collection effort particularly crucial for supporting local families.
"I'm really proud of our community for jumping in and saying there's some uncertainty right now and let's do what we can," said State Representative Jodi Emerson. "But this is the role of the government, to be that safety net for people."
The initiative, which runs through the end of July, was launched by local leaders ahead of National Ice Cream Day.
WQOW: Democrats host food drive in Eau Claire after passage of Republican bill
Local leaders are urging people to stop by Ramone's in Eau Claire to swap food cans for free ice cream ahead of National Ice Cream Day this weekend.
The group 'Opportunity Wisconsin', State Representative Jodi Emerson, and local leaders kicked off a food drive in Eau Claire Thursday, using it to call out Republicans like Congressman Derrick Van Orden who voted for the Big Beautiful Bill.
Democrats said this bill will cut food assistance for Wisconsinites to pay for billionaire and corporate tax breaks. Democrats say many Wisconsinites could lose SNAP benefits because of the law. They also worry about how tariffs are increasing the costs of food and other goods.
Eau Claire Leader-Telegram: Ramone's Ice Cream Parlor kicks off local food drive with state leader
Blayne Midthun, owner of Ramone's Ice Cream Parlor, said she believes it's important to give back to the community. The ice cream shop kicked off a local food drive Thursday that benefits The Community Table, ahead of National Ice Cream Day this Sunday.
T.J. Atkins, Community Table executive director, said the food drive was "going to help greatly" as the organization serves meals seven days a week and operates a food pantry.
"We do a food pantry so people can come in and get food. We [also] do a meal service seven days a week... 49% of our guests that we serve are currently unhoused, and we have seen that uptick since COVID," said T.J. Atkins, Community Table executive director.
State Rep. Jodi Emerson participated in the kickoff event and spoke on the recent federal cuts to SNAP and Medicaid, and her efforts on the state budget.
"We're really here to talk about the cuts that are happening to Medicaid and SNAP," she said. "We increased the hospital assessment... We were able to add over a billion dollars into our Medicaid programs to kind of stabilize them and get them what they needed."
Ramone's Ice Cream Parlor is located at 503 Galloway Street in downtown Eau Claire and serves The Chocolate Shoppe ice cream, which is produced in Madison.
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