Our MUNCH mobile lunch program is CANCELED for Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20 due to extreme heat. However, The River will be OPEN on Friday, July 19 from 4:30–7:30pm for a regular market distribution session.

Connecting community to compassion

Serving Dane County since 2006, The River Food Pantry provides food, resources and faith to build a stronger community. Services include free groceries, meals and clothing, as well as free mobile lunches for children and teens on non-school days. As the area’s busiest food pantry, The River serves over 1,000 households every week in pursuit of its vision: a fully nourished community.

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New Refrigerated Truck to Improve Healthy Food Access

Thanks to strong community partnerships, The River recently acquired a new refrigerated truck to take in more fresh food donations, have a reliable source of transportation, and better...

New Coalition Seeks to End Childhood Hunger in Madison

Food for Success coalition brings together Food for Thought Initiative, Selfless Ambition, The River Food Pantry MADISON, Wis. — June 13, 2019 — Three of Madison’s top hunger-relief organizations...

Food Pantry vs. Food Bank

I have to admit—I did not completely understand the difference between a “food pantry” and a “food bank” when I applied for my job at The River. After working here for almost a year now, I...

Inclement Weather Policy

For the safety of our clients, staff and volunteers, The River will close if the Madison Metropolitan School District cancels school due to inclement weather conditions.
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Our Services

Volunteer

Ways To Give

Our 2018 Impact

Community Meals Served

Households Visited

MUNCH Lunches Distributed

Pounds of Food Distributed

Hours of Volunteer Service

Dollars Worth of Clothing & Household Items Distributed

Our Clients

%

Children

%

Help Feed Children This Summer