We believe that everyone in our community should have equal access to nutritious, affordable, and culturally meaningful food. Through our core services of food acquisition and storage, food distribution, and community partnerships we provide those facing hunger in our community access to enough nutritious food to thrive. Since 1986 we have been supporting our neighbors struggling with food insecurity in southwestern Wisconsin. From adding new programs to new buildings, our focus on supporting our community to make ends meet and live healthier lives has never changed. As one of southwestern Wisconsin’s largest and most recognizable nonprofit organizations, we have a responsibility to address all inequities, we will work to center and uplift the voices and lived experiences of those who experience hunger across our sixteen counties.

All are welcome! Hot meals are served in-person or as carry out. Guests enter at the southwest entrance by St. Mark's playground. Sometimes people come to the Friday meal for economic reasons. At other times people come to see friends, for companionship and to be a part of a community.

Savory Sunday is a non-profit organization based out of Madison, WI that strives to prepare and serve freshly cooked meals to the hungry community every Sunday in the year (with the exception of Easter Sunday). Each Sunday, captains from our core team cook and serve a fresh hot meal with the help of volunteers with the intent of providing the most satisfying free feast in town. We’ve been operating since 2005 as an independent group with grass root beginnings; we began as members simply making and distributing sandwiches to those in need along State street. Now over 10 years later, as ‘Savory’ and its meals have grown, so has our connection with the community. In addition to addressing the pervasive issue of hunger and homelessness, Savory Sunday continues to build friendships with those we serve as we commit to regularly serve throughout the year.

The River’s curbside meal program, called FAM (Family At-Home Meals), provides to-go meals for everyone in a household to share in the comfort of their homes. These healthy, balanced meals are freshly made by The River’s professionally trained chefs and volunteers. The menu changes weekly to include meat and vegetarian options, along with a side salad and fresh fruit.

Launched in 2016, Munch is our mobile meals program that delivers free healthy meals to children and adults in dozens of low-income neighborhoods throughout Madison and Fitchburg. Each meal contains a sandwich or main menu item, a fruit or vegetable, a grain, a treat, and a drink. In addition to these free meals, everyone is welcome to take home additional fresh produce for a snack or to use in preparing other meals. No registration is required.

Food NOW (Nights Or Weekends) is an after-hours food locker program of The River Food Pantry. Food NOW is available to the public whenever The River’s curbside distribution is closed. There are 10 outdoor lockers located in the front of The River (2201 Darwin Rd, Madison) against the wall. Each locker contains a short-term supply of shelf-stable foods at no cost. Anyone is welcome to access food from these lockers—you do not need to be an existing client of The River. You are welcome to access 1 locker within 72 hours. The River restocks emptied lockers Monday–Friday. Locks are managed remotely, with combinations changed daily. Food NOW is meant to provide immediate emergency food support when access to The River’s other services is unavailable.

CMC welcomes and supports people from all backgrounds by meeting immediate needs; providing opportunities for education, integration into the community, and professional growth; and offering community-based activities that honor and respect the many cultures that call this area home.

Luke House serves free meals nine times a week (468 times a year) to thousands of our community’s poorest residents. Volunteers from Madison-area churches provide, prepare, and serve each of the meals. The volunteers also sit down and eat with the guests — this provides a sense of community and fellowship, and it’s one of the things that makes Luke House special.

Hope’s Home Ministries brings together mercy and justice in the heart of downtown Madison. We serve our neighbors through our Community Meal Programs, on-site connections to care, and numerous initiatives that help prevent and end the trauma of homelessness and isolation.

The Grace Church Food Pantry has been a welcoming place for the hungry on the Capitol Square for over 50 years. Although housed at Grace Church, the pantry has its own budget and relies on donations of federal commodities and donations from community members. Our Pantry Coordinator manages dedicated volunteers who make sure the over 300 families each month

The Beacon is a daytime drop-in shelter and resource center for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Dane County, operated by Catholic Charities Diocese of Madison through a public-private partnership. We believe homelessness is a community challenge that requires community-driven solutions. Our purpose is to support men, women, and children on their journey toward stability by providing a safe space and access to essential services. The Beacon offers access to essential services and connects individuals with providers who offer health care and housing assistance.

Sunshine Place provides comprehensive services that support essential needs through community engagement and partnerships. Through our own programs and onsite partner agencies, we provide one location where families and individuals in Sun Prairie and eastern Dane County can access resources and opportunities for help with food, housing, and other barriers to stability. Sunshine Place shines hope and help to children facing hardships. We deliver meals, clothing, beds, holiday gifts, and backpacks with school supplies to children who might otherwise go without. Our onsite partner agencies also provide comprehensive services to help families reach goals for stability and access opportunities to help them thrive.