The River Food Pantry opens new, larger location in Madison

The expanded facility features a drive-thru, increased storage, and solar power to better serve the community's growing needs.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 12:39pm

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The River Food Pantry in Madison has opened the doors to its new 33,000 sq. ft. facility on Packers Avenue, replacing its previous smaller location. The new building includes key upgrades like a drive-thru, expanded storage, offices for staff, and solar panels to power the facility. The pantry briefly shut down operations in December to make the move, but has now resumed services to meet the growing demand from the community.

Why it matters

The River Food Pantry is a vital resource for many in the Madison area, providing food assistance to over 4,000 people per week. The new, larger facility will allow the pantry to better serve the community's needs, which have nearly doubled in the past three years. The upgrades, like the drive-thru and increased storage, will improve efficiency and accessibility for clients.

The details

The River Food Pantry's new 33,000 sq. ft. facility on Packers Avenue features several key improvements over its previous location. These include a fully electric kitchen, drastically increased storage space, dedicated offices for staff, a revamped drive-thru for better accessibility, a larger parking lot, and over 200 solar panels to supply electricity. The pantry briefly shut down operations at its old building on December 23 to make the move, but has now resumed services in the new space.

  • The River Food Pantry briefly shut down operations at its old building on December 23, 2025.
  • The pantry's new 33,000 sq. ft. facility on Packers Avenue opened on January 29, 2026.
  • The River Food Pantry resumed operations in its new location on January 30, 2026.

The players

The River Food Pantry

A nonprofit food pantry in Madison, Wisconsin that provides food assistance to over 4,000 people per week.

Rhonda Adams

The executive director of The River Food Pantry.

Susan Crawford

A Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice and the board chair of The River Food Pantry.

Jessica Doyle

The wife of former Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, who frequently volunteered at The River Food Pantry and brought her students there.

Melissa Agard

The Dane County Executive, who lives in the area and experienced food insecurity growing up in Madison.

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What they’re saying

“This building is important, but it's so much more than a building. This new facility represents hope, dignity, and the extraordinary power of community coming together to care for our neighbors.”

— Rhonda Adams, Executive Director, The River Food Pantry (madison365.com)

“The drive-thru lanes lead vehicles into an enclosed space that is far safer and more comfortable for clients and volunteers and staff, and will protect the quality of food we deliver and improve the efficiency of the pantry's business programs.”

— Susan Crawford, Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice, Board Chair of The River Food Pantry (madison365.com)

“Through my years in public service, I learned that the true strength of any community is measured not by its wealth or its growth… but what it really is measured by is how it cares for its most vulnerable people.”

— Jessica Doyle (madison365.com)

“Together, we can ensure that absolutely no one has to choose between paying their bills and buying groceries. This is how we lift each other up in times of strife. This is what defines a community.”

— Melissa Agard, Dane County Executive (madison365.com)

What’s next

The River Food Pantry will hold a larger celebration on June 4th for its 20th anniversary and official grand opening of the new facility.

The takeaway

The River Food Pantry's new, expanded location demonstrates the community's commitment to supporting its most vulnerable members and ensuring no one has to choose between paying bills and buying groceries. The upgraded facility will allow the pantry to better serve the growing need for food assistance in the Madison area.