Agency Details:

The River Food Pantry

Our mission is to bring a message of mercy and hope to those in need by providing nutritional basics and encouragement: to be a unifying, servant hearted and community building expression of Jesus Christ in Madison.

Description:
The River Food Pantry is a non-profit, volunteer driven, faith based project that provides food and clothing to those in need.

The pantry has leased and remodeled an 8,000 square foot warehouse at 2201 Darwin Road.
The space includes a food pantry, a kitchen, a dining area, a clothing distribution area and other storage facilities.

We provide for the basic needs of families that are having a difficult time making ends meet financially. We want to be a service to those in need by providing basic food stuffs and supplies, free meals and free clothing. Beyond that, though, we want to treat those we serve with respect and build them up through hope and encouragement.

Pantry clients will be welcomed on a once a week basis. All need is self-declared. Clients will be able to eat dinner, use the food pantry and select clothing. Everything is free.

We view the food pantry as a wonderful opportunity for people from diverse church and non-church backgrounds to come together in service to the community. It also represents an opportunity to offer a positive, servant hearted expression of the Church in our city. Our core team and volunteers include members from multiple churches and denominations. We encourage participation from outside the church community as well. A number of our volunteers have no religious affiliation. Approximately 25% of our volunteers are also clients.

Currently, The River Food Pantry is open every Friday evening to all Dane County residents who declare a need for our services. While people are waiting to shop they can enjoy a nutritious meal in a friendly atmosphere, and browse through a clothing area. We are currently serving over 600 families per month through our Friday evening operation.

Our food procurement is primarily through local non-profit food banks, but also through food drives sponsored by other organizations directly for our benefit.

While our core services are food and clothing oriented, we also want to be a focal point for the distribution of legal, law enforcement and social services information to the pantry clients. We will also make room in the pantry facilities for other services, provided by other agencies that benefit our target population.

History:
City officials and Madison food pantry experts such as Second Harvest and Community Action Coalition have all indicated the need for additional food pantry space on the north side of Madison. The River Food Pantry opened in March of 2006, to help meet that need.

We rented the warehouse on Darwin Rd. and opened, after a 5 month, 3500 volunteer hours construction period. The empty warehouse shell was remodeled to include a large kitchen, bathroom, office space, children's area and storage area. Local businesses and individuals have opened their hearts to us and provided The River Food Pantry with donation of sufficient building materials, shelving and kitchen appliances as well as start up finances.

We are a Christian group, with different back grounds, the pantry is not affiliated with any specific church. The founders had been involved with Madison's north side for over 7 years before opening the pantry in March 2006.

Contact people:

Jenny Czerkas, Project Director, (608) 442-8815, (email) Andy Czerkas, Project Director, (608) 442-8815, (email)

Address:

2201 Darwin Rd Madison, WI 53704 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.theriver-madison.org

Directions:

Heading North on Packers Ave., turn right on Darwin Rd. The pantry is the 1st warehouse on the right hand side, behind the valvoline oil change.   Nearest Bus Stop: 21, 5 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Will you be using VolunteerYourTime.org for Donation Match ONLY?
	No

Last updated on October 23, 2009