For Wisconsin injury attorneys at Bye, Goff & Rohde, fighting for justice extends far beyond the courtroom—it means standing shoulder-to-shoulder with neighbors experiencing hunger, homelessness, and financial instability.
The firm has announced a $30,000 sponsorship of Our Neighbors’ Place, a critical investment in the nonprofit’s “Every Need, Every Neighbor” capital campaign to build a new facility in 2026. This partnership reflects more than five decades of community commitment by Bye, Goff & Rohde, demonstrating that true advocacy means ensuring every person has hope after an injury and access to pathways out of hunger and homelessness.
A Growing Financial Crisis for Families in Western Wisconsin
The statistics are sobering: 39% of families in Pierce County and 32% in St. Croix County don’t earn enough to cover basic living expenses like housing, food, fuel, and clothing. Since 2015, demand for services at Our Neighbors’ Place has skyrocketed by 400%, stretching the small nonprofit’s current location at 122 W Johnson Street in River Falls far beyond capacity.
With just three staff members and 90 dedicated volunteers, Our Neighbors’ Place has become a lifeline for thousands. In 2024 alone, the organization’s Day Center assisted over 4,900 points of contact from people seeking help. The Backpack Program distributed 4,207 bags of food to school-aged children in the River Falls School District. The Closet Thrift Store provided over 1,000 vouchers for clothing and personal care items. And their Transitional Housing program has helped 21 families find permanent housing since 2016, with four families currently working toward stability.
“Our Day Center is overcrowded, with minimal space for private discussions with guests,” explains Our Neighbors’ Place. “The Closet doesn’t have room for all the donations we receive. Our food distribution space creeps into our office space, which creeps into the area meant for our guests to use the computer, do laundry, or simply get warm in the winter.”
Compounding Challenges: Federal SNAP Benefits in Jeopardy
The urgency of local food security initiatives has intensified amid uncertainty surrounding federal nutrition assistance. More than 42 million Americans rely on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits to purchase food each month. The current federal government shutdown has threatened these critical benefits, and recipients have currently not received their November payments. The uncertainty of SNAP benefits for the remainder of 2025 underscores the vital role that community-based organizations like Our Neighbors’ Place play in filling gaps when federal safety nets falter.
Wisconsin injury attorneys at Bye, Goff & Rohde understand the ripple effects of economic instability—how a car accident can lead to lost wages, medical debt, and ultimately food insecurity—supporting local hunger relief efforts is a natural extension of their advocacy work.
Building a Foundation for Dignity and Stability
Bye, Goff & Rohde’s $30,000 contribution supports construction of a new building three times the size of Our Neighbors’ Place’s current facility. The thoughtfully designed space will include dedicated areas for guests to shower, do laundry, and meet privately with case managers. Expanded office space will enable staff to hold confidential conversations with guests and community leaders. A conference room will allow partner organizations to coordinate services and initiatives like Toys for Tots.
Critically, the new facility will bring the Backpack Program back to the nonprofit’s own location, improving logistics and volunteer coordination for the program that feeds an average of 120 children each week.
“Our attorneys don’t just fight insurance companies,” explains Tracy Tool, managing partner. “We fight hunger in Wisconsin alongside Our Neighbors’ Place. Because together, we’re stronger.”
Fifty Years of Community Commitment
For over 50 years, Bye, Goff & Rohde has contributed both volunteer hours and financial resources to ensure that neighbors throughout Western Wisconsin are treated with justice, respect, and security. The firm’s attorneys understand that true recovery from injury encompasses more than legal settlements—it requires stable housing, adequate nutrition, and community support systems that catch people when they fall.
This holistic view of advocacy recognizes that the same systemic challenges that lead to preventable injuries—inadequate infrastructure, economic inequality, lack of access to resources—also contribute to food insecurity and homelessness. By investing in organizations like Our Neighbors’ Place, Wisconsin injury attorneys address root causes while serving immediate needs.
Construction on the new facility will begin when 90% of funding is secured through cash donations or pledges. Donors are encouraged to “stretch” their giving by making commitments over a three-year period, ensuring the project is fully resourced to meet community needs well into the future.
How You Can Help Your Neighbors in Western Wisconsin
Whether you’re seeking assistance or looking for ways to support food security efforts in Pierce and St. Croix Counties, monetary donations are currently the most helpful contribution. The St. Croix Valley Food Bank in Hudson, WI (715-629-5405) partners with food pantries to provide equitable access to food throughout western Wisconsin. Visit https://www.stcroixvalleyfoodbank.org/donate to contribute.
For immediate food assistance, the following resources serve communities throughout the region.
ST. CROIX COUNTY:
- Baldwin Community Food Pantry: 1010 Main Street, Baldwin, WI // (715) 688-3844
- Fresh Harvest Pantry/Hudson Backpack Program: 1830 Hanley Road, Suite 300, Hudson, WI 54016 // (715) 707-5100
- Hudson Food Cupboard: 1500 Vine St, Hudson, WI // (715) 338-0332
- Five Loaves Food Shelf: 144 W 3rd St, New Richmond, WI // (715) 246-5255
- Roberts/Hammond Food Pantry: 1001 Birch Drive, Roberts, WI // (715) 749-3478
- Somerset Community Food Pantry: 770 Rivard St, Somerset, WI // (715) 247-2945
PIERCE COUNTY:
- Elmwood Food Pantry: 108 S Main St, Elmwood, WI // (715) 639-2307
- Pierce County Food Pantry: 440 N Maple St, Ellsworth, WI // (715) 273-2070
- Plum City Food Pantry: 301 First St, Plum City, WI // (715) 647-2191
- Prescott Area Food Pantry: 911 Pearl St, Prescott, WI // (715) 262-4143
- River Falls Community Food Pantry: 705 St. Croix St, River Falls, WI // (715) 425-6880
- Spring Valley Community Food Pantry: S425 Church Ave, Spring Valley, WI // (715) 778-5988
Contact Our Neighbors’ Place directly at 122 W. Johnson St, River Falls, WI 54022 or call (715) 426-9000 to learn more about their programs or contribute to the capital campaign.