We believe that everyone in our community should have equal access to nutritious, affordable, and culturally meaningful food. Through our core services of food acquisition and storage, food distribution, and community partnerships we provide those facing hunger in our community access to enough nutritious food to thrive. Since 1986 we have been supporting our neighbors struggling with food insecurity in southwestern Wisconsin. From adding new programs to new buildings, our focus on supporting our community to make ends meet and live healthier lives has never changed. As one of southwestern Wisconsin’s largest and most recognizable nonprofit organizations, we have a responsibility to address all inequities, we will work to center and uplift the voices and lived experiences of those who experience hunger across our sixteen counties.

The River’s curbside meal program, called FAM (Family At-Home Meals), provides to-go meals for everyone in a household to share in the comfort of their homes. These healthy, balanced meals are freshly made by The River’s professionally trained chefs and volunteers. The menu changes weekly to include meat and vegetarian options, along with a side salad and fresh fruit.

Launched in 2016, Munch is our mobile meals program that delivers free healthy meals to children and adults in dozens of low-income neighborhoods throughout Madison and Fitchburg. Each meal contains a sandwich or main menu item, a fruit or vegetable, a grain, a treat, and a drink. In addition to these free meals, everyone is welcome to take home additional fresh produce for a snack or to use in preparing other meals. No registration is required.

Food NOW (Nights Or Weekends) is an after-hours food locker program of The River Food Pantry. Food NOW is available to the public whenever The River’s curbside distribution is closed. There are 10 outdoor lockers located in the front of The River (2201 Darwin Rd, Madison) against the wall. Each locker contains a short-term supply of shelf-stable foods at no cost. Anyone is welcome to access food from these lockers—you do not need to be an existing client of The River. You are welcome to access 1 locker within 72 hours. The River restocks emptied lockers Monday–Friday. Locks are managed remotely, with combinations changed daily. Food NOW is meant to provide immediate emergency food support when access to The River’s other services is unavailable.

Sunshine Place provides comprehensive services that support essential needs through community engagement and partnerships. Through our own programs and onsite partner agencies, we provide one location where families and individuals in Sun Prairie and eastern Dane County can access resources and opportunities for help with food, housing, and other barriers to stability. Sunshine Place shines hope and help to children facing hardships. We deliver meals, clothing, beds, holiday gifts, and backpacks with school supplies to children who might otherwise go without. Our onsite partner agencies also provide comprehensive services to help families reach goals for stability and access opportunities to help them thrive.