The River Food Pantry has witnessed a 25% rise in demand for its services in the past year, now serving over 2,500 people every week. To accommodate the growing need, the pantry raised over $11.45 million to build a new facility on vacant land off Packers Avenue.
The new 32,500-sqft building — three times larger than the current facility — will feature:
- An all-electric commercial kitchen
- A drive-thru
- Delivery docking stations
- A dining area
- Multipurpose rooms
- Rain gardens
Lead donors include the American Family Insurance Dreams, Pleasant T. Rowland, and Sub-Zero Group foundations. Federal grants and public funding also support the project.
Fundraising is not done yet, the Recipe for Hope Campaign needs ~$550,000 to reach its goal of $12 million, and starting this week, donations of $500 or more will be matched up to $150,000.
Construction starts this summer with a target opening in late spring or early summer 2025.
