A free food sign outside of a resource tent in Menasha. August 10, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
MENASHA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Tents full of food, water, and cleanup supplies are scattered throughout Menasha. Following the EF-3 tornado, community members are still giving back.
Carrie Lane has been running a tent in her front yard since the tornado hit.
“This thing started off with just me and the road angel sisterhood wanting to do something, and they started the tent with 500 dollars worth of supplies,” she said. “And I set up one tent and two tables, and then it went boom.”
The tent, filled with donated supplies, is on First Street, close to where the worst of the damage is located. It was running even while Lane was busy elsewhere, and she said it will stay that way for however long the resources are needed.
“A lot of people weren’t able to get to those sites that were set up outside of our neighborhood, so this was a way to fix the problem, I guess,” Lane explained. “I’ll do my best to try to keep it open until my contractor tells me that it’s in the way to fix my house.”
And over by the Dollar General on Appleton Street, free food for families still looking for a meal.
“In my mind, I want to do something too. What I can do? Well, I know how to cook. So I buy a bunch of meat, the first time I bring burritos, eggs,” said Gerardo Martinez, owner of Garden View Family Restaurant in Appleton. He said the restaurant used to be based in Menasha.
It was Martinez’ second time out cooking meals for families. He added it likely won’t be his last.
“After today I’m going to ask with more business owners, because if somebody wants to do it, I’m happy to come to give free meals. Because I see a lot of people already, probably 50 pounds of meat already gone,” Martinez said.
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