MADISON, Wis. — September 13, 2018 — The River Food Pantry yesterday released a new strategic plan to guide the organization into the future. A Fully Nourished Community, The River’s Strategic Plan 2018, frames how The River will pursue a vision where everyone in Dane County is nourished in body, mind and spirit.
“For the past 12 years, The River has offered food, resources and faith to build a stronger community,” said Charles McLimans, The River President/CEO. “This plan not only renews our long-lasting commitment to Dane County, but it also provides a path toward achieving our vision of a fully nourished community.”
The strategic plan includes updated mission and vision statements, enhanced core values, and specific guiding principles. The plan also outlines four key aspirations:
- Community Builder: Be an enhanced builder of community, extending our core values, working collaboratively to achieve a vision where everyone is nourished in body, mind and spirit.
- Services: Grow as the leading direct provider of healthy and nutritious resources for food insecure households throughout Dane County, and collaborate to promote household stability, addressing the root causes of food insecurity.
- Facilities and Environment: Create best in class operations and a holistic services hub that reflects and embodies The River’s mission, vision and values.
- Engagement: Become the organization of choice for volunteers, donors and employees championing nourishment and household stability.
In addition, the plan details The River’s holistic services philosophy, which focuses on collaboration opportunities to address different areas of household stability: food, housing, health, and work/life.
The plan was developed over a year-long process, based in appreciative inquiry, with the participation of hundreds of individuals representing all stakeholder groups: clients, volunteers, donors, board, staff, community partners, community members and community leaders.
“The hopes, dreams and aspirations of the community and the family that make up The River are represented in our strategic plan as our mission, vision, core values and guiding principles,” said Jennifer Zisser, The River Board Chair. “We invite everyone throughout Dane County to join us in making our shared vision a reality.”
The River will assess the organization’s progress in achieving the aspirations and goals framed in the strategic plan, revising it accordingly over the next several years.
A Fully Nourished Community, The River’s Strategic Plan 2018, can be found here.
# # #
About The River Food Pantry
Serving Dane County since 2006, The River Food Pantry provides food, resources and faith to build a stronger community. Services include free groceries, meals and clothing, as well as free mobile lunches for children and teens on non-school days. As the area’s busiest food pantry, The River serves over 1,000 households every week in pursuit of its vision: a fully nourished community.
Contact
Becca Carpenter
Development & Communications Manager
The River Food Pantry
becca@riverfoodpantry.org