Stefanie and her three children ages 7, 4, and 1 and a half recently went door to door in their neighborhood handing out flyers about The River Food Pantry and a list of needed items at the pantry. Days later, they picked up bags of donated items from their neighbors’ doorsteps. The family brought in over 160 pounds of food and personal items to the pantry! “My kids had been telling everyone about going to The River,” Stefanie said. “And our family was very much looking forward to the weekend food drive!”

Following the neighborhood food drive, Stefanie and her family hosted a food drive outside of the Sun Prairie Pick ‘N Save for the weekend. The River provided her with posters, a donation jar, crates to hold the food and helped promote the food drive. In just two days, the family collected over 650 pounds of food and $350 for The River! Stefanie couldn’t believe the response they got from shoppers. “The whole experience was very touching for me and my family,” Stefanie said. “I can promise this food drive won’t be our last, I believe it is just the beginning!”

Over 650 Dane County families shop at The River Food Pantry every week for nutritional groceries, clothing and to enjoy a community meal. The River also provides packed lunches to chidlren and teenagers living in low-income neighborhoods on weekends and non-school days with the mobile lunch program, MUNCH. Support like food drives from the community help ensure our shelves will stay stocked with food and our lights will stay on.

Hosting a donation drive with friends, family, coworkers and neighbors is a great way to help families who are struggling to put food on the table. Learn more about food drives and how we can help by clicking here.