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In Wisconsin, Ready to “Be Dunn with Hunger”

In Menomonie, WI, Bread for the World member Julie McNaughton looks for every angle to educate her community on hunger and advocacy.

Approaching 30 years as a BFW activist, McNaughton recently organized "Let's Be Dunn with Hunger" info parties at the public library, local food pantry and a church. In Dunn County, where Menomonie is located, one in eight people is at risk of hunger. Guests at these parties watched the Offering of Letters video, Seeds of Change: Help Farmers. End Hunger., as they learned how improvements to the farm bill can help hungry people in their communities and farmers in nearby rural areas.

McNaughton and the Menomonie BFW group also organize an annual fundraising event, "Empty Bowls." For $15, attendees receive a handmade ceramic bowl and a homemade soup lunch. Letter-writing materials are available, and many of the 400 participants write to their members of Congress about hunger legislation. Proceeds from the event are split between Bread for the World and the Interfaith Food Pantry of Dunn County.

Between these events and annual participation in an October CROP Walk, McNaughton has developed a local mailing list of 900 names. She sends out a quarterly update and educational mailing, letting people know what actions they can take to fight hunger.  She also makes a point of keeping her local media informed of all these events, generating an impressive array of attention on hunger. 

McNaughton first learned about the importance of advocacy years ago in her work with the League of Women Voters.

"They used to have a saying: Keep your vision, but do what's legislatively possible," McNaughton recalls.

She's still on board with that sentiment. Just before Easter, McNaughton met with her member of Congress, Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), at the congressman's listening session in his home district. She thanked him for supporting an increase to poverty-focused development assistance in the budget, and asked about his plans for the farm bill.

Her efforts are making a difference in Menomonie and beyond.

"At one of the sessions, we had a representative from a local Farmer-to-Farmer group. They make connections between farmers in Wisconsin and farmers in Guatemala to build relationships and make both sides strong. This person read Bread for the World's materials on the farm bill and said, 'That's what we're trying to do, too.'"

"Connecting with other people, and working ecumenically – it's the way to increase your efforts."

Many thanks to Julie and Menomonie members for their steadfast and creative activism!

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