COMMUNITY MEALS & MOMENTS. Chippewa Falls-based nonprofit, Agnes' Table, recently moved its weekly community meals to a larger location, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, pictured. Its weekly food pantry services are now offered at the local YMCA.

Over two decades ago, a woman named Agnes began to serve hot meals to those in need out of Trinity Methodist Church in Chippewa Falls. Today, that same mission lives, now carried out by the local nonprofit, Agnes’ Table.

While that core vocation continues to guide the organization, its methods have evolved in order to meet the sustained community need for free fresh food and hot meals – all provided with respect and dignity.

As someone who has been on both sides of this type of food provider system, Paula Gregory, Agnes’ Table's executive director, lives and breathes the nonprofit’s mission.

Gregory, who has been part of Agnes’ Table for over three years, stepped into the executive director role last fall – just before the organization moved from its original host space, Trinity Methodist Church (201 W Central St., Chippewa Falls) and into a split-service structure.

Agnes’ Table’s team knew it had outgrown its longtime home, at Trinity Methodist Church, last fall; they served hot meals for around 120 individuals each night, plus those who utilized the food pantry weekly.

Quick Stats from Agnes’ Table

• Pounds of food rescued in 2025: 168,171 
• Pounds of food rescued so far, in 2026: 74,695
• Average meals served: 1,200-1,300 per month
• Average pantry guests served: 300 families per month

Now, Agnes’ Table divvies its hot meals and pantry services between the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (810 Pearl St., Chippewa Falls), where meals are served Tuesdays and Thursdays at its fellowship hall, and the Chippewa Falls YMCA (611 Jefferson Ave., Chippewa Falls), where the drive-thru pantry operates from.

While the organization has embraced a new model in order to serve growing needs – since settling into its St. Charles location, Agnes’ Table now serves between 150-165 people per meal – its mission remains.

“I’ve been in the Chippewa Valley for, gosh – it’ll be 25 years next month,” Gregory said. “When I moved here, I had two young kids and I did rely on those food pantries and other programs available to those who needed them.

“I guess that’s where it resonates, for me. I was part of that demographic,” she said. “I’m on the other side now, so I want to be the one doing the giving.”

These services continue to rely on the support from local individuals, groups and businesses. Last year, Agnes’ Table rescued over 168,000 pounds of food from area stores, which went toward its meals and pantry.

In 2026, the nonprofit is on track to meet or exceed that number.

The Food Van Campaign, launched in June 2026

Earlier this year, Feed My People food bank received an $85,000 donation from Marshfield Clinic, which the organization used to purchase a new refrigerated van for food transportation. Then, Agnes’ Table, a partner of the food bank, lost its own food transportation vehicle. 

“That wasn’t on my bingo card for the first quarter of 2026,” Gregory said, “so we are starting to raise money towards (a new van). But a few weeks ago, I got a call from Feed My People saying they were going to allow us to use their new van until we could afford our own. That was incredible.”

Paula Gregory, pictured at far right, in front of the new Feed My People van. (Submitted photo)

Agnes’ Table’s newly-launched campaign for the purchase of a food transportation vehicle is currently fundraising, accepting donations via PayPal or by mail (Agnes’ Table Food Pantry at Chippewa Falls YMCA; 611 Jefferson Ave., Chippewa Falls, WI 54729). Local partner, Northwestern Bank, has committed to match donations up to $5,000. 

Gregory attributes the growing number of people using Agnes’ Table to a combination of both increased awareness and increased need.

It takes 8-10 volunteers to operate one day of pantry services and 7-10 volunteers to complete one dinner service. Gregory, alongside a dedicated core group of volunteers and fellow board members and staff, continues to lend a hand to support these needs. 

The nonprofit still seeks volunteers for its food rescue shifts – Sundays from 9:30am-1pm; to pick up food from grocery stores and gas stations – and 25 more meal services this year have yet to be sponsored or filled by volunteers.

As of June 19, when this issue was readying for press, six of those services were coming up this summer: July 21, July 30, Aug. 4, Aug. 6, Aug. 11 and Aug. 27. The meal volunteer sign-up schedule can be viewed online at SignUpGenius.

When Gregory gives tours of Agnes’ Table’s operations spaces, she compares their service numbers to the community population. “Between our meal service and pantry service, we serve 10% of Chippewa Falls’ population,” Gregory said.

There are about 15,000 residents in the riverside city.

Looking ahead, Gregory and the board of Agnes’ Table will put pedal to the metal for its new campaign to fundraise toward the purchase of a food rescue van and spread awareness of the organization – all while seeking new volunteers and partners along the way.

Learn more about Agnes’ Table and volunteer opportunities online at www.agnestable.org/ or keep up with the org on Facebook • Agnes’ Table serves weekly community meals at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (810 Pearl St., Chippewa Falls) at 5:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with a social hour beforehand • Agnes’ Table’s drive-thru food pantry services, which can be utilized by the same family/individual every seven days, operates weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Chippewa Falls YMCA (611 Jefferson Ave., Chippewa Falls)