The River Food Pantry stands as a vital community resource, dedicated to providing temporary emergency food and essential non-food items to individuals and families facing hardship. Operated entirely by compassionate volunteers from local churches and neighborhoods, we believe in offering assistance to anyone in need, regardless of their circumstances. Located at the Columbus Community Center (125 N. Dickason Blvd., Columbus), the River Food Pantry relies on the generosity of individuals and businesses within our community for donations of food, non-food essentials, and monetary contributions. We are proud to share that 100% of all donations directly support those we serve within our local communities.
Currently, the River Food Pantry extends its support to 196 families within the Columbus and Fall River School Districts, ensuring that no one in our area goes hungry.
Accessing Food Assistance at the River Food Pantry
To ensure efficient and respectful service, the River Food Pantry operates on an appointment basis. Each month, on Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 6:45 pm, a designated location becomes a distribution point for pre-scheduled pickups. If you are in need of food assistance, we encourage you to call 608-893-3079 to arrange an appointment. Should your call go unanswered, please leave a detailed message with your name and phone number. Rest assured, our volunteers diligently check messages daily and will respond promptly to assist you.
For any inquiries regarding the River Food Pantry, please feel free to contact Colleen Waterworth directly at 920-210-6266. We are here to help and answer any questions you may have.
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Image alt text: Volunteers preparing food boxes at the River Food Pantry, showcasing community involvement and support for food assistance programs.
For our Spanish-speaking neighbors in need of food assistance, please call 920-287-8122 and ask for Marcos to schedule your appointment. We are committed to serving everyone in our community with dignity and respect.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the following churches for their invaluable service and dedication to the River Food Pantry:
- Connection Church – Pastor Jamie Turner
- St. Jerome Catholic Church – Father Jim Leeser
- Faith Lutheran Church – Pastor Andrew Perger
- Olivet Congregational UCC
- Zion Lutheran Church – Pastor Tim Schwartz
- First Presbyterian Church
- Columbus United Methodist Church – Rev. Sang Wook Park
- Columbus Community Church of the Nazarene – Pastor Chris Baker
- Wisconsin Academy – Pastor Jonathon Fetrick
Ways to Support the River Food Pantry
The River Food Pantry thrives on the generosity of our community. Monetary donations to support the Columbus/Fall River Food Pantry can be conveniently dropped off at Farmers & Merchants Union Bank. For non-perishable food item donations, please consider dropping off unexpired goods in the designated barrel located inside the entrance of Columbus Pick ‘n Save. Your contributions, large or small, make a significant difference in the lives of our neighbors.
If you are organizing a Food Drive to benefit the River Food Pantry, we kindly request that you contact Colleen Waterworth at 920-210-6266 in advance. Colleen can provide you with the most up-to-date list of needed items and assist in scheduling a convenient drop-off time for your collected donations. Partnering with local food drives allows us to efficiently stock our shelves with the items most needed by the families we serve.
Current Needs at the Food Pantry
To help guide your generous donations, the River Food Pantry has identified the following items as being particularly needed at this time:
- Cereal
- Canned Fruit
- Soup
- Crackers (Saltines, Ritz, Townhouse)
- Pasta
- Spaghetti Sauce
- Pancake Mix
- Syrup
- Baked Beans
- Canned Meat
- Canned Vegetables
- Peanut Butter
- Jelly
- Cake Mix
- Frosting
- Rice
- Instant Potatoes
- Hamburger-Chicken-Tuna Helper
- SpaghettiOs
- Mac & Cheese
- Toilet Paper
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
- Deodorant
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Image alt text: Food donation barrel at Columbus Pick ‘n Save for River Food Pantry, encouraging community members to donate non-perishable food items.
Your support ensures that the River Food Pantry can continue to serve as a lifeline for individuals and families in Columbus and Fall River. Together, we can make a difference in fighting food insecurity within our community.
