About Us
The River is South Central Wisconsin’s busiest food pantry. Services include free groceries and freshly prepared meals for pickup or delivery, online grocery orders, mobile meals, and emergency food lockers. The River also redistributes rescued food and resources to local partners to increase access while minimizing waste. Since 2006, The River has grown to serve over 2,500 people every week in pursuit of its vision: a fully nourished community.
Located in a warehouse just off Northport Drive and Packers Avenue, The River is surrounded by low-income neighborhoods and subsidized senior housing—exactly where we’re needed the most.
In 2023, The River served 17,100 people facing food insecurity, which included children, adults, seniors, veterans, and those experiencing homelessness. Thanks to generous community support, The River was able to provide our Dane County neighbors with:
- 3.5 million pounds of food and supplies.
- 111,234 freshly prepared to-go meals for entire households to enjoy at home.
- 31,072 mobile meals in 18 low-income neighborhoods.
- 3,232 grocery deliveries to the homebound.
- 2,003 online grocery orders to provide client choice.
- 273 emergency food locker bags during off-hours.