Shelly Fortner, executive director of the Hunger Task Force of La Crosse, in studio, discussing the struggles food banks are having right now with federal funding cuts and future uncertainty, plus the dire need for the community's help.

Fortner also talked about their annual Taste of the Garden fundraiser coming up from 5-8 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Kane Street Community Garden. This year's event will feature a bunch of local drink and food vendors, including: 
Pearl Street Brewery
Turtle Stack Brewery
Lost Island Wine
Bluff Top Vineyard
River View Vineyard & Winery
Hoch Orchard and Gardens
Gillette Pepsi-Cola
Olive Garden
Howie’s
Black Student Leaders/ Hope Restores
Pasture Pride Cheese

The Hunger Task Force just wrapped up a food drive last month, where the community helped collected nearly 3,800 pounds of food and $2,400. The Hunger Task Force serves over 120 meal sites, food pantries, youth programs, and outreach sites in a eight-county area in Wisconsin Minnesota and Iowa.

Food banks have already seen $1 billion in federal funding cuts. And with food prices continuing to rise, and plus future SNAP regulations coming, that means more people will be in need.

The SNAP — or food stamp — changes in the Big Beautiful Bill passed by Republicans and signed by President Donald Trump will raise the work requirement age from 54 to 64 and force parents with children older than 6 — instead of 14 — to meet added requirements.

Shelly Fortner, executive director of the Hunger Task Force of La Crosse, in studio, discussing the struggles food banks are having right now with federal funding cuts and future uncertainty, plus the dire need for the community's help.
Fortner also talked about their annual <a href="https://tickets.aroundrivercity.com/events/taste-of-the-garden-2025-8-20-2025">Taste of the Garden fundraiser</a> coming up from 5-8 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Kane Street Community Garden. This year's event will feature a bunch of local drink and food vendors, including:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Pearl Street Brewery</li>
<li>Turtle Stack Brewery</li>
<li>Lost Island Wine</li>
<li>Bluff Top Vineyard</li>
<li>River View Vineyard &amp; Winery</li>
<li>Hoch Orchard and Gardens</li>
<li>Gillette Pepsi-Cola</li>
<li>Olive Garden</li>
<li>Howie&rsquo;s</li>
<li>Black Student Leaders/&nbsp;Hope Restores</li>
<li>Pasture Pride Cheese</li>
</ul>
The Hunger Task Force just wrapped up a food drive last month, where the community helped collected nearly 3,800 pounds of food and $2,400. The Hunger Task Force serves over 120 meal sites, food pantries, youth programs, and outreach sites in a eight-county area in Wisconsin Minnesota and Iowa.
Food banks have already seen $1 billion in federal funding cuts. And with food prices continuing to rise, and plus future SNAP regulations coming, that means more people will be in need.
The SNAP &mdash; or food stamp &mdash; changes in the Big Beautiful Bill passed by Republicans and signed by President Donald Trump will raise the work requirement age from 54 to 64 and force parents with children older than 6 &mdash; instead of 14 &mdash; to meet added requirements.

WIZM's LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

WIZM's LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

WIZM - La Crosse  Talk Interviews

WIZM’s La Crosse Talk brings you the voices shaping Western Wisconsin.
Broadcast live weekday mornings on WIZM News Talk 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM, 1410 AM, and streaming at wizmnews.com and on the WIZM app, La Crosse Talk dives into the headlines, local politics, community issues, and conversations that matter most to listeners in the Coulee Region. Hosted as part of the La Crosse Talk Morning Show, each episode features in-depth interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, experts, and everyday citizens offering real perspectives on the events and decisions impacting La Crosse and surrounding communities. Whether it's breaking news, civic discussions, or community stories, La Crosse Talk keeps you informed and connected to the place you call home.

WIZM&rsquo;s La Crosse Talk brings you the voices shaping Western Wisconsin. Broadcast live weekday mornings on WIZM News Talk 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM, 1410 AM, and streaming at <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/">wizmnews.com</a> and on the WIZM app, La Crosse Talk dives into the headlines, local politics, community issues, and conversations that matter most to listeners in the Coulee Region. Hosted as part of the La Crosse Talk Morning Show, each episode features in-depth interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, experts, and everyday citizens offering real perspectives on the events and decisions impacting La Crosse and surrounding communities.&nbsp;Whether it's breaking news, civic discussions, or community stories, La Crosse Talk keeps you informed and connected to the place you call home.