NEWS RELEASE
The River Food Pantry is celebrating four years of serving needy families in Dane County. The River is Madison and Dane County’s busiest food pantry, receiving over 2000 family visits each month.
Four years ago, on Friday, March 31, 2006, the River opened its doors and served 40 families during its first Friday night pantry session. Today, the River serves that many families in half an hour at one of their four weekly pantry sessions. Around 500 families come to them for help each week.
“If someone would have said that we would do 500 families a week I would have laughed,” said Czerkas.
Almost a decade ago, Jenny and Andy Czerkas, and the couple’s friend, Tom Theumling, had a vision to serve the low income neighborhood around Northport Dr. and Packers Ave. in north Madison. City officials and hunger experts like Second Harvest of Dane County had identified a gap in food assistance services in this area of the city and these three decided to do something about it.
They began interacting with the residence of low-income housing apartments through ice cream socials, Friday night dinners, and other community activities. It took six years to build solid relationships with residents in the area before they went ahead with opening the pantry.
“When we started, we expected to serve 100 families a week at the most,” said Jenny Czerkas, pantry director, “We never foresaw the economy tanking.”
The numbers of clients seeking help from the River has each year has grown exponentially in the past for years. The River received 58,000 individual visits from Dane County residents last year, which is 70% more client visits in 2009 compared to 2008.
Sharon has been a regular client at The River since it opened its doors. Her mental health struggles have caused her to need pantry assistance off and on. She has been to other pantries and shared that she prefers to come to the River.
“At the River I can choose the food I need. And it is high quality food,” said Sharon. “Jenny and Andy add a personal touch, but handle it like a business.”
Clients and volunteers alike notice the respect and fairness that characterize the River.
The River has maintained a crystal clear focus on its primary mission—meeting the basic food and clothing needs for needy families while offering hope and encouragement—while doing what they can to offer more. Frequently, volunteers will help clients sign up for food stamps and Badger Care. The River will also host volunteer health professionals who offer basic exams, blood pressure and diabetes screening, and nutrition counseling.
You can find out more about the River Food Pantry by visiting their website at http://www.theriver-madison.org/.