About Us
The River is Dane County’s busiest food pantry. Services include free groceries for pickup or delivery, to-go meals, mobile meals, community meals, online grocery orders, after-hours food lockers, and clothing. The River also recovers food and resources—that would otherwise go to waste—from local retailers. Since 2006, The River has grown to serve over 4,000 people every week in pursuit of its vision: a fully nourished community.
Located on Packers Avenue, The River is surrounded by low-income neighborhoods and subsidized senior housing—exactly where we’re needed the most.
In 2025, The River served 21,326 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:
- 3.2 million pounds of food and supplies
- 135,308 freshly prepared to-go meals for entire households to enjoy at home
- 90,918 mobile meals in 24 low-income neighborhoods
- 2,959 grocery deliveries to the homebound
- 1,649 online grocery orders to provide client choice
- 881 after-hours food locker bags