FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org
TOMORROW: Ahead of National Ice Cream Day local leaders kick off food drive and highlight SNAP cuts in partnership with Ramone’s Ice Cream Parlor
With House Republicans cutting food assistance and raising grocery prices, local groups step up to support food banks and support neighbors in need
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Tomorrow, Opportunity Wisconsin, State Representative Jodi Emerson, and local leaders will kick off a food drive in Eau Claire ahead of National Ice Cream Day this weekend. Through the end of the month, anyone who brings in a non-perishable food item to Ramone’s Ice Cream Parlor will receive a certificate for a free cone or dish.
The food drive comes after Congressman Derrick Van Orden voted for the Republican Tax Law—which cut food assistance for Wisconsinites to pay for billionaire and corporate tax breaks. State officials have warned that as many as 90,000 Wisconsinites could lose SNAP benefits because of the law. In addition to these drastic cuts, new reports detail how tariffs are increasing the costs of food and other goods.
“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 issue, Congressman Derrick Van Orden and Republicans in Congress are taking food from their constituents and raising prices to give more tax breaks to the rich,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “We are grateful to be able to support local organizations who are helping those in need and support small businesses who are so important for our state’s economic success, especially when our elected representatives are abandoning their constituents.”
Tomorrow’s kickoff event will feature remarks from local leaders about the importance of supporting food pantries and organizations working to meet the increasing needs of the community.
FOOD DRIVE KICKOFF PRESS CONFERENCE
WHO
Opportunity Wisconsin
State Representative Jodi Emerson
Blayne Midthun, Owner of Ramone’s Ice Cream
Local Advocates and Storytellers
WHEN
Thursday, July 17, 2025
10:00 AM
WHERE
Eau Claire, exact location available upon RSVP
RSVP
Media interested in covering the press conference should RSVP to press@opportunitywisconsin.org
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