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, and mobile meals. 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 2,000 people every week in pursuit of its vision: a fully nourished community.

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This $97,000 grant funding will be an important contributing factor in determining the number of additional neighborhoods that can be viably served through The River's Munch program. Munch is The River’s mobile meal program that delivers free healthy meals to children in 10 diverse, low-income Madison neighborhoods. Many of these children rely on free or reduced school lunches as a crucial source of regular meals.

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To cover gaps in this food supply Munch delivers meals on Madison’s north and east sides up to 6 days per week, Monday–Saturday, any time when school cafeterias are not in operation (including breaks and periods of at-home learning). All meals served through The River are nutritionally balanced— they aim not just to reduce food insecurity, but to promote the overall health and wellbeing of recipients.