Each week, The River serves over 3,500 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, 1-2 pound bags of rice or flour rather than a 50 pound bag.
Most-Needed Items:
- Soup
- Cereal (hot and cold)
- Gluten-free items
- Peanut butter
- Rice
- Pasta
- Pasta sauce
- Microwavable meals
- Paper products: facial tissue, paper towels, toilet paper, etc.
- Au gratin boxed potatoes
- Chicken broth
- Brownie mix
- Flour
- Cooking oil
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.)
- Egg cartons (6-count or 12-count)
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.
Food Drive Focus Ideas:
- January: National Soup Month
- February: National Canned Food Month
- March: National Cereal Day is March 7 — Help us collect cereal for Match Madness!
- April: National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day is April 2
- May: National BBQ Month
- June: National Dairy Month (shelf-stable items only, please, such as shelf-stable milk, cheese, and yogurt)
- July: National Canned Luncheon Meat Week is the first week of July (e.g., canned chicken and tuna)
- August: National Farmers Market Week is the first full week of August (e.g., fresh produce from local gardens)
- September: Hunger Action Month, National Organic Month
- October: Vegetarian Awareness Month, National Pasta Month
- November: Holidays, Gluten-free Diet Awareness Month, World Vegan Month
- December: Holidays
For questions, please contact info@riverfoodpantry.org.
Donation Drop-off Hours
Donations can be dropped off in the large black donation bin in the back of The River Food Pantry (2201 Darwin Rd) during the times below*. If the donation is larger than 10 grocery bags, please contact us in advance at helen@riverfoodpantry.org. If your donations are part of a food drive or fundraiser, please contact development@riverfoodpantry.org.
| Day | Hours |
| Monday | 8am–1pm |
| Tuesday | 8am–3pm |
| Wednesday | 11am–6pm |
| Thursday | 8am–3pm |
| Friday | 8am–3pm |
*If these times do not work for you, please call (608) 442-8815 to coordinate an alternative.
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.