LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN (WXOW)—Around the country, everyone is working to help victims of Hurricane Sandy, and Republican offices are no exception.
Volunteers at the La Crosse County Republican headquarters shifted their focus from phone banking to collecting food for hurricane victims.
"It's important that we show that we're Americans and we come together in a time of disaster," said Jordan Wileman, a Republican volunteer.
And La Crosse Republicans got a hand kicking-off the food drive from Congressman Paul Ryan.
"We just want to thank you for coming out and donating," said Ryan in his brief remarks at headquarters.
Ryan's short speech didn't mention the campaign or the election. Instead the focus was storm relief efforts.
"We're really grateful for this," Ryan said of the food drive. "This is what Americans do. This is what Wisconsinites do."
"It's just so fantastic that Gov. Romney and Congressman Ryan have put their resources together to allow us to use their busses and their equipment too," said Julian Bradley, chair of the La Crosse County Republicans. "You'll notice they didn't come in on a campaign bus. They've got their busses distributing supplies on the East Coast."
And while volunteers are anxious to continue pushing for their candidates, they say it's important to stop and show support for those impacted by the storm.
"Usually, I'm on the phones for at least one or two hours a day, but it just didn't seem right today," said Carole Edland, a volunteer who spent her time baking banana bread for Sandy victims, instead of making calls.
And though election work will resume, the food drive will continue down at the victory center all week. You can bring donations to the office on Copeland Ave. between 9 am and 9 pm.
