Each week, The River serves over 4,000 people throughout Dane County with free groceries, meals, and personal care items. We need your help to keep the pantry stocked with a variety of items. We prefer donations in smaller package sizes or individual servings that can be easily distributed to each household. For example, 2-5 pound bags of rice or flour rather than a 50 pound bag.
Most-Needed Items:
- Hearty soup with protein
- Cereal (hot and cold)
- Gluten-free items
- Rice
- Pasta
- Pasta sauce
- Pop-top canned goods
- Microwavable meals
- Canned fruit
- Canned beans
- Granola bars
- Fruit cups
- Paper products (toilet paper, tissues, paper towels)
Accepted:
- Non-perishable, non-expired food
- Hygiene items
- Cleaning supplies
- Pet food
- Garden produce (Please wash and give directly to a staff member or volunteer.)
- Paper bags (Grocery size preferred. No plastic bags, please.)
Not Accepted:
- Perishable food
- Clothing
- Furniture
- Used household goods
- Medications, vitamins, supplements, or tobacco products
Donate via Amazon
You can also purchase food and essentials off The River’s list of most-needed items. Amazon will ship your purchases directly to us, and we will distribute your gifts to our neighbors in need.
Donation Drop-offs
The River is moving! Monday, Dec. 22 was the LAST DAY we accepted food donations at 2201 Darwin Rd. We will begin accepting donations at our new building at 3301 Packers Ave. on Jan. 9, 2026. from 10 am-2pm M-F. Look for the black donation bin near our loading docks. Read the latest updates on our move.
The River will host a drive-thru donation drop-off event on Monday, Feb. 16 from 10 am–4 pm. You will get a peek at our new indoor drive-thru when you bring your donation!
The River Food Pantry is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and the value of your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.