It’s Friday night, and things are hopping at The River. A bluegrass band plays as diners move down the serving line for a plate of chicken and vegetables, then sit at long tables topped with cloths and fresh flowers, and dig in.
The music and church dinner atmosphere may not sound like what you think of when you think of a food pantry, but founders Andy and Jenny Czerkas mean to build a community, and more people from more walks of life are swallowing their pride and getting acquainted with being on the receiving end of charity at The River Food Pantry on Madison’s north side.