UPDATE: Thanks to all who supported The River’s Giving Tuesday campaign! 137 donors generously gave over $28,000—plus, a $10,000 match—for a total of $38,221 to help provide fresh produce for our Dane County neighbors in need.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are very popular, yet very expensive. You can help ensure our neighbors in need have access to fresh produce by supporting The River Food Pantry’s Giving Tuesday campaign on November 28.
For every $20 you donate, you will provide one week’s worth of fresh produce for one local family facing food insecurity. Plus, all Giving Tuesday donations will be MATCHED up to $10,000, so you will double your impact!
Why fresh produce?
Fresh produce is a top request from The River’s clients. Not only are fruits and vegetables essential to a healthy diet, but variety is as important as quantity in order to provide the mix of nutrients our bodies need. Unfortunately, the high cost of these items can be a significant barrier for low-income households.
“Healthy food is expensive,” shared our client, Juan. “Even if people [with low incomes] want to eat healthy and get in shape, they cannot afford healthy food. Simple as that!”
To make healthy food more accessible, The River offers a variety of fresh produce for over 2,500 people to choose from each week. We always include fresh fruits and vegetables in our meals too. While a portion of our produce is donated or rescued through our recovery program, we must purchase the rest, which can cost up to $20,000 per month!
How will your Giving Tuesday gift be used?
Your gift will allow The River to purchase a consistent supply of fresh, healthy, diverse produce—with an emphasis on buying farm-fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers during Wisconsin’s growing season, including but not limited to:
- Ramos Produce in Fall River
- Vang Family Produce in McFarland
- Elderberry Hill Farm in Waunakee
- Garden to Be in Mount Horeb
By helping The River purchase fresh produce, you will nourish our community with the quality and quantity of nutrient-dense foods that our low-income neighbors cannot afford but need to eat healthy.
Together, we will expand access to free, healthy, fresh produce throughout Dane County. Give to The River’s Giving Tuesday campaign on November 28!
About The River Food Pantry
The River is South Central Wisconsin’s busiest food pantry. Services include free groceries and freshly prepared meals for pickup or delivery, online grocery orders, mobile meals, and emergency food lockers. The River also redistributes rescued food and resources to local partners to increase access while minimizing waste. Since 2006, The River has grown to serve over 2,500 people every week in pursuit of its vision: a fully nourished community. Learn more here.