Causes: Food, Food Programs

Mission: This year marks our 30th anniversary of providing vital resources to low and very low income households struggling with food insecurity and financial hardship.

Results: In 2015, our food pantry distributed the ingredients for over 250,000 meals - up 128% from the number of meals provided in 2014.With our move to a larger, more accessible facility last summer, the number of requests for food assistance climbed by an additional 44%, with an average of 868 individuals currently seeking assistance each month. And our newest initiative, a free community meal every Saturday, has already served almost 2,000 meals to help fill the gap when school lunches and senior meals are unavailable.

Target demographics: Low and very low income households, children, seniors, people with disabilities, and folks just down on their luck.

Direct beneficiaries per year: over 10,000 individuals.

Geographic areas served: Verona, Fitchburg, and South Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin.

Programs: food assistance, a community meal every Saturday, nutrition education, legal advocacy, computer and English language tutoring, and access to a Joining Forces for Families social worker.