Dunn County Nonprofit Reducing Food Services Amid Federal Cuts

A Dunn County nonprofit says it will reduce its Food Pantry Services beginning next month as a result of cuts to federal funding.

In a press release this week, Stepping Stones of Dunn County announced its food pantry services would be reduced from five days per week to four days per week starting on June 30th. The food pantry will no longer be open on Fridays as a result of federal funding cuts. The nonprofit will also reduce the number of monthly visits allowed per household from once every seven days to once every 14 days.

Organization officials say they’re losing over $150,000 in federal funding that helped support the food pantry services. They also say they’ve already been operating under a deficit due to increased demand for their services.

The increasing demand for support services is becoming a common issue in the region. In recent weeks, the Sojourner House in Eau Claire considered reducing their shelter services from year-round to just six months. The Eau Claire City Council and a number of local organizations chipped in funding to ensure the shelter would remain open year-round as the unhoused population continues to grow.

Stepping Stones of Dunn County officials also cited the shelter services they began offering in 2023 as contributing to their budget issues. The Cairn House has just 20 beds available for the unhoused population, but the additional service doubled the nonprofit’s budget.

As the organization seeks long-term solutions to these budget challenges, they’re hoping community members will step up with additional donations. According to the press release, a $50 donation can provide about 600 meals for area residents.