The holiday season is usually a warm time for many despite the typical bitter cold outside. November and December are home to many holidays where friends and family get together to enjoy company and good food. Now imagine that the ability to get that food taken away. Not only does someone not have the means to contribute to their holiday events, they might not even be able to put food on the table at all
According to Food and Nutrition Services of the U.S. Department of Agriculture “Pending any explicit direction to the contrary from Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), states must not transmit full benefit issuance files to EBT processors. Instead, states must continue to process and load the partial issuance files that reflect the 35% reduction of maximum allotments detailed in the Nov. 5 guidance.” This means that while the government shutdown is over and SNAP benefits are technically back, people are not receiving the full amount they would be getting. In fact, states that have sent out full allotments are required to “immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025.”
Located on Winona’s very own Third Street is Red Wing Tattoo, a local tattoo shop that is doing its best to make a difference. Owners Casey and Zephyr are hosting a food drive where people can bring non-perishable foods to the shop and they will donate it to Winona Volunteer Services, which has a food bank. The owners of Red Wing Tattoo have done several different fundraisers for “different organizations that have women’s reproductive rights. We’ve also done ones for the humane society,” Casey said. They are in no shortage of care and are even offering a 20 dollars off the total of an appointment to anyone who donates. “I personally have zero problems with me, making less money if that means someone else can eat,” Casey said.
So far this food drive has been very successful, as stated by Zephyr, “In the first week we were able to bring in a tote full of items and currently have about that much stacked up again. We’ve also been trying to donate to other local businesses collecting as well. We have also volunteered to cook for the local chili feed to give back.” Even other businesses are getting in on setting up food donations such as Heirloom seasonal bistro, Paperbacks and Pieces, and Waggin Tails to name a few.
People deserve to have a lovely holiday season, free of the stress of worrying about their next meal. So from now until the end of December stop on by Red Wing Tattoo with something that could quite literally make someone’s day. And who knows? Maybe also get 20 dollars off for a tattoo, piercing, or some fancy nails. It doesn’t hurt to give to those in need.
