At Couleecap’s Sparta food pantry, demand has climbed dramatically with Wisconsin’s FoodShare program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), delayed as the federal government shutdown continues.
Couleecap’s Monroe County Food-Pantry Manager Theresa Rogalla oversees two Monroe County food pantries in Sparta and Norwalk. The Sparta site now serves 275 to 325 families per month — about 730 to 940 individuals — compared to roughly 90 to 100 families when she began managing the program in 2021. The Community Harvest Pantry in Norwalk, opened in June 2023, serves 80 to 95 households (roughly 266 to 290 individuals) each month. She said seniors make up a significant portion of clients, about 120 to 150 individuals each month, a steady increase from past years.
Rogalla said the organization’s role has become increasingly critical as more families seek help and federal support shrinks. She noted Couleecap remains committed to serving local residents “as long as there is a need,” but warned with limited federal and state funding and the rising cost of living, “the community will need to come together to ensure no child goes hungry.”
In mid-October, the Sparta pantry waited several days for confirmation its federal food order had gone through. Delayed approval finally came on Oct. 16, though uncertainty continues to surround upcoming shipments.
Rogalla said national TEFAP reductions, estimated at $2.2 million in food value, or about 1.1 million pounds nationwide, were already being felt in Monroe County. She added the pantry’s work had been further complicated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s cancellation of all shipments of fresh meat, dairy and eggs earlier this year. She said the loss has placed “tremendous strain” on efforts to supply balanced, healthy food. Cereal, breakfast items, juice, canned meats and soups have also become increasingly difficult to keep in stock.
As the shutdown continued into Nov. 1, Gov. Tony Evers declared a state of emergency due to the lapse in FoodShare benefits, prohibiting price gouging statewide, requiring state agencies to respond and suspend any administrative rules hindering or delaying the state’s response, according to an Oct. 31 press release. The state has also joined two lawsuits against the Trump Administration’s decision not to use available federal funding to extend food assistance into November, which nearly 700,000 people around the state rely on. According to Wisconsin’s FoodShare website, almost 5,000 Monroe County residents rely on FoodShare.
Two courts ordered the Trump Administration to tap more than $5 billion in emergency funds to help partially fund the program. The administration announced Monday, Nov. 3 it would use the contingency funds to issue partial benefits to the program during the month of November.
According to FoodShare’s website, members may continue to use any funds available on their cards from the previous month while they wait for November benefits and benefits already on the card will not be removed because of the shutdown.
Keeping up with demand, how to help
Couleecap’s ability to meet this rising need depends on a strong network of volunteers, organizers and donors, including local and regional partners such as the Hunger Task Force of La Crosse, Hunger Relief Federation, Community Hunger Solutions, Immanuel Lutheran Gardens of Viroqua, Century Foods, and Second Harvest, a Feeding America affiliate.
One new partner is Monroe County 4-H, which donated boxes of fresh produce grown over the summer in its tiny new community garden near downtown Sparta. Local stores such as Walmart, Aldi and Dollar General also contribute through gleaning programs. Rogalla said the list of contributors is wide-ranging, sometimes even including truck drivers who make spontaneous donations when surplus products become available, such as a recent instance when pallets of raspberries were refused by a retailer for being a degree or two too warm.
This month, Couleecap is holding a large fundraiser throughout November in recognition of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month. Community partners including Hansen’s IGA, Century Foods, Theisen’s and The Beer Shop have donation boxes and pre-bagged groceries available for purchase at their stores. Shoppers can simply buy a pre-packed bag of food, which will be collected and delivered directly to the pantry for local families.
Marketing Manager for Couleecap Kadie Brueggen said in an email Friday, Oct. 31, the agency is launching a new $5,000 matching grant campaign in partnership with Organic Valley. The initiative will support food, housing and related community assistance programs. Brueggen added details will be posted on Couleecap’s website soon.
Those wishing to help can also donate online at Couleecap.org or volunteer their time. Rogalla said volunteers remain the “heart” of the operation.
“We truly have the best of the best when it comes to our volunteers,” she said. “We couldn’t help the number of families we do without them. They’re truly invaluable.”
Items in need include meat, cereal, flour, corn masa flour, rice, salt, sugar, cooking oil, dried beans, jelly, microwaveable rice/mac and cheese/ravoli etc., snacks for kids.
Looking ahead, Rogalla said she remains hopeful but realistic. She expects the financial gap families face to continue widening yet believes collaboration can help bridge it.
“We have amazing leadership and community partners,” she said. “We’ll continue to be here for our families in the months and years ahead.”
List of Monroe County area food pantries
Sparta
Couleecap
Address: 217 N. Black River St. (Jones Plaza)
Phone: 608-269-5021
Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Food pantry hours: Monday and Thursday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Services: Supportive housing, homeless prevention program, food pantry (serves western Monroe County — Sparta, Angelo, Melvina, Leon, Norwalk and surrounding areas)
Ecumenical Food Pantry
Address: 114 N. Water St.
Phone: 608-269-5081
Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.–noon; Tuesday, 5–7 p.m.
Sparta Area School District Food Pantry
Address: 1225 N. Water St., Room A120
Phone: 608-269-3151
Serves families with children enrolled in the Sparta School District.
Cataract Essential Services
Address: 6070 State Hwy. 27
Website: @Cataract Essential Services, Inc. on Facebook
Hours: Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 9–11 a.m. and 5–7 p.m.
Tomah
Neighbor for Neighbor Food Pantry
Address: 1118 W. Veterans St.
Phone: 608-372-6737
Food pantry hours: Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 3:30–6 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.–noon.
Serves eastern Monroe County — Tomah, Tunnel City, Wyeville, Camp Douglas, Clifton, Warrens, Oakdale, Kendall, Norwalk and Wilton.
Ruby’s Pantry
Address: 22547 State Hwy. 21 (Oasis Church)
Phone: 608-567-9230
Website: www.rubyspantry.org
Hours: First Monday of each month, 5–7:30 p.m.
Services: No income or residency requirement. Donation bundle available for $25.
Cashton
Cashton Cupboard & Closet
Address: 199 Front St.
Phone: 608-654-5770
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Ontario
Ontario Food Pantry
Address: Grace Community Church, 100 Monroe St.
Phone: 608-337-4656 (call for an appointment)
Serves Ontario and Norwalk area.
Norwalk
Community Harvest Food Pantry
Address: 200 W. North St.
Phone: 608-424-4187
Hours: Wednesday, noon–2 p.m.
Wilton
Wilton Food Pantry
Address: 400 East St., Wilton Community Center
Phone: 608-435-6622
Hours: Tuesday, 1–2 p.m., or call for an appointment.
Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin Mobile Pantry
Monroe County representative: 608-216-7550
Main office: 608-223-9121
Website: www.secondharvestmadison.org
Sparta
Third Monday of each month, starting at 3:30 p.m.
Location: Sparta Youth Hockey Rink, 1121 E. Montgomery St.
Tomah
First Tuesday of each month, starting at 3:30 p.m.
Location: Monroe County Fairgrounds, 1625 Butts Ave.
Norwalk
Last Tuesday of each month, starting at 10:30 a.m.
Location: Village Hall, 208 S. Church St.
Sources: Monroe County Health Department; Sparta Area School District website.
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