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 remodled 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. 

Much of the physical content of the pantry is recycled Madison.  The serving counters are remodled nurse's stations from the former Methodist/Meriter Hospital. The doors and windows are also from the hospital.  The pantry shelving is from the former K Mart and from Cub West Food Store.

The new pantry was outfitted with new, much improved, electrical service.  The electrical components were also donated as was all of the necessary, skilled installation work.

Please take a look at our collection of Construction Photos.

We want to aknowlege a debt of thanks to the companies and individuals who contributed so much during the River's construction period.

Our biggest fundraiser in 2007 was our motorcycle raffle. Click here to see the results of the raffle.