Originally written by Rachel Novick, Teresa Le-Vu and Tracy Wang, Spring 2023 Badger Volunteers. Updated Fall 2023 by Emma Flanagan

The city and county do a great job of putting together a local food resource guide every year, check it out here: Dane County Food Resource Guide for area pantries. 

This directory from Second Harvest is also extremely helpful, check it out to find food near you:  https://www.secondharvestsw.org/find-food-near-you/ 

If you spend time in the Isthmus, downtown or East Side areas, here are some quick links to nearby food pantries and resources. 

Nearby Food Pantries

Social Justice Center’s Pantry 

• Address: 1202 Williamson St., Madison, WI 53703
• Phone:  608-227-0206
• Link to more info
• Willy St. Pantry – Open Pantry Fridays 1 – 3pm 
• Outdoor Pantry – Corner of Williamson St. and Few St. – 24/7
• Free Food Pop Up (Healthy Food for All) – Wednesday 3:30 – 5:30pm

Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center

• Address: 953 Jenifer St., Madison, WI 53703,
• Phone:  608-257-4576
• Link to more info: https://wil-mar.org/services
• Hours: Wednesday 9-12pm

Grace Food Pantry

• Address: 116 W. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53703
• Phone: 608-255-5147 Ext. 18
• Link to more info: https://www.gracechurchmadison.org/grace-food-pantry 
• Hours: Tues – Thurs 1 – 3pm, Sat 10am – 12pm

Bethel Food Pantry

• Address: 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, WI 53703
• Phone: 608-257-3577
• Link to more info: https://www.bethel-madison.org/ministries/serving/bethel-food-pantry/ 
• Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1 – 3pm

Nearby Free Meals

Some of these organizations also offer food pantry services. 

Luke House

• Address: 310 S. Ingersoll St., Madison, WI 53703 
• Website: http://lukehousemadison.org/ 
• Hours:  Lunch Mon – Thurs 11:30 – 12:30; Dinner Sun – Th 5:45 – 6:30

Luke House serves free meals nine times a week to thousands of our community’s residents. Volunteers from Madison-area churches provide, prepare, and serve each of the meals. Luke House is located on Ingersoll Street, just off Williamson Street. 

Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center

• Address: 504 S. Brearly St., Madison, WI 53704
• Website: https://wil-mar.org/services 
• Hours: 
  • Pantry: Wed 9-12pm
  • Free meal: Sat 11-1pm

Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center is open Wednesdays from 9 am to 12 pm for a weekly food pantry. Fresh fruit/veggies, bread + pastries, pre-cooked meals, and frozen meats are available. They offer a free, balanced and nutritious meal weekly on Saturdays.

Savory Sunday

• Address: 2 E. Main St., Madison, WI 53703 (basement of the Capitol) 
• Website: https://savorysunday.org 
• Hours: Sun at 2pm 

Savory Sunday serves meals to the community every Sunday of the year (with the exception of Easter Sunday). 

St Mark’s Lutheran Church

• Address: 605 Spruce St., Madison, WI 53715
• Website: http://stmarksmadison.org/friday-meal.aspx 
• Hours: 
  • Free meal: Fri 12-1pm
  • Pantry: Tues 10-12pm, Thurs 5:15-7:30pm

The Food Pantry works with CAC (Community Action Coalition) and Second Harvest Food Bank to provide staple food items to anyone in need of food that resides in Dane County. Participants are allowed to choose their own food based on food preferences and dietary needs. People may participate approximately once a month. All are welcome to the free Friday community meal. Hot meals are served in-person or as carry out. Guests enter at the southwest entrance by St. Mark’s playground. 

Catholic Multicultural Center

• Address: 1862 Beld St., Madison, WI 53713 
• Website: http://cmcmadison.org/basic-needs/free-meal/ 
• Hours: 
  • Pantry: Tues 1:30-3:30pm; Thurs. 10:30-12pm. 
  • Free Meal: Mon-Fri 4-5pm

The Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) food pantry is open to all Dane County residents who need food assistance. Each family can use the food pantry once per week. First-time registrants will be asked for: full name, identification, proof of address, and the name and birth date of each household member.

There is dinner served every single weekday, year-round. All are welcome to enjoy a hot home cooked meal in the lower level of the CMC. No need to register; simply come anytime during meal time. Food is prepared fresh each day by volunteers and CMC staff. Guests have the option to eat in the CMC dining room or to take their food to-go.

The Beacon

• Address: 615 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703
• Website: https://catholiccharitiesofmadison.org/the-beacon/get-help/ 
• Provides a safe shelter for those experiencing homelessness 7 days a week from 8am-5pm. Offers light breakfast, coffee and daily lunch.