The River Food Pantry’s Munch Mobile Meals program has distributed an average of 253 nutritious meals per day, Tuesday through Saturday, since the school year ended.
MADISON, Wis. — July 18, 2024 — The River Food Pantry’s mobile meals program, Munch, has expanded throughout Madison and Fitchburg to feed more hungry children and adults this summer. From June 11 to July 15, 2024, Munch served 5,645 meals, which was 90% more than last year.
“When school is out for summer, thousands of local students lose access to free breakfast and lunch,” said Rhonda Adams, Executive Director of The River, which serves over 2,500 people every week—one in three is a child. “As food insecurity soars in our community, support is needed to ensure that Munch and all The River’s programs can continue to provide free healthy food to our neighbors who might otherwise go hungry.”
Munch added four more stops this summer for a total of 24.
Munch delivers free, healthy meals to children and adults in 24 low-income and underserved neighborhoods throughout Madison and Fitchburg, operating 5 days a week all summer long. Each meal contains two sandwiches and a bag of eight sides, which include a mix of shelf-stable fruit, granola bars, and snacks, along with a whole fresh fruit, a freshly prepared salad bag, and a drink.
In addition to meals, Munch offers a selection of additional fresh fruits and vegetables for people to choose from. Anyone is welcome to take home a free meal and fresh produce. No registration or ID is required.
Munch serves low-income and underserved communities where people are more likely facing increased levels of food insecurity. Since Munch’s first priority is supporting childhood nutrition, distribution points are located near schools, community centers, apartments for low-income families, libraries, parks, and nonprofit organizations, including the Salvation Army and two Boys & Girls Club of Dane County locations.
Since its inception in 2016, Munch has primarily focused on serving children who rely on school meal programs. It is reported that approximately 31% of Madison Metropolitan School District students qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. Year-round, Munch helps thousands of families bridge the nutrition gap by providing reliable access to the nutrition youth need to develop mentally and physically.
“The River relies on community support to help provide the quantity and quality of nutrition that so many of our neighbors depend on,” Adams said. “We greatly appreciate any and all financial support toward this ‘Munch-needed’ program.”
To learn more about Munch or to provide a donation, visit www.riverfoodpantry.org/services/munch.
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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 after-hours 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—and counting—every week in pursuit of its vision: a fully nourished community. Learn more at riverfoodpantry.org.