The food pantry is open for food distribution Monday through Friday 10am-12:45pm and Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 4:00pm-7:45pm. The lobby is open to patrons 10 minutes prior to the start of service. Patrons must be in the lobby 15 minutes prior to close to receive a food package. Please plan your arrival time accordingly.
Holiday closures and the schedule for Mobile Food Pantry stops can be found under the Calendar tab.
You may come to WAFER once each month and, if necessary, twice a month though this is limited. Beginning June 1, 2023, we will be returning to normal food package offerings of one food package per month. However, you must choose only one government commodities pantry; WAFER, River of Life Church, From the Heart, or the Salvation Army. Up-to-date households can also choose to utilize a produce package once per week for the weeks when a complete package isn't requested.
If you are a resident of La Crosse County and meet income guidelines (English and Spanish) (Hmong) (Russian) or you need food assistance, you are probably eligible to receive food.
When you come in to get food we will go over all the information needed to create your account. Click here for the English version, here for the Spanish, here for the Hmong version, here for Russian, and here for other language options from DHS. If you would like to print the form, fill out at home, and bring to your first visit that is an option, but not required.
Everyone gets a balanced assortment of food; canned goods, produce, dairy products, frozen meat, baked goods. In addition, milk coupons and hygiene items are usually available.
Yes, someone else can get your food for you. To do so, get a WAFER permission form (it can be mailed to you or printed here). The form is valid for one year.
Based on The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP – Government Commodities) guidelines you may come to WAFER or receive a food package once each month. However, you may not come to WAFER and the Salvation Army, From the Heart Food Pantry, or River of Life Food Pantry; you must choose only one.
Additional visits will be determined on a case by case review.
No. This is a free service for income and address eligible people or those in need of food assistance.
Of course!
You can get food from WAFER without having a place to live. Simply bring some form of identification.