608-219-2985
Feeding Body and Soul
Extended Hands Pantry is a place where individuals facing low income or homelessness, can come for free groceries and fresh produce. It's a welcoming space for immigrants and refugees, where children are offered wholesome foods like mangos and apples to support healthy growth. We rely on help, donations, and volunteers to continue our mission. Serving Madison's most vulnerable populations since 2019, we are committed to making sure every person who walks through our doors is nourished and cared for.
Pantry Hours:
Monday: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Last Saturday of the month: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Angi, Young Mother
Angi* arrived at Extended Hands Pantry on a sweltering summer afternoon, carrying a newborn so tiny that one of our volunteers gently asked, “How many weeks old?” With an exhausted but tender smile, Angi replied, “Weeks? She’s just eight days old.”
Seeing how freshly postpartum she was, our team rallied around her, making sure she didn’t lift anything heavy. Volunteers helped her navigate the pantry, carefully placing groceries into her cart while keeping an eye on the tiny baby nestled in her arms.
Once Angi had selected her groceries, we naturally offered to help her to her car. But with quiet hesitation, she admitted she didn’t have one. Instead, she methodically loaded two bags of food into the baby’s stroller—the only transportation she had—and, with a deep breath, began the long walk home in the blistering heat.
Her determination was palpable, and it was hard to watch as she pushed her newborn in the stroller, weighed down by the groceries that would help feed her family for the next week. The resilience and quiet strength of mothers like Angi remind us why we do this work.
Cynthia, Caring for Elderly Parent
During my volunteer shift on Friday, I had the privilege of meeting Cynthia*, a regular client at Extended Hands Pantry. Cynthia is the sole caregiver for her 80-year-old mother, who suffers from advanced dementia. Day and night, Cynthia attends to her mother’s every need, from helping her with basic tasks like using the bathroom to preparing meals. Despite the immense responsibility of this full-time role, she receives no financial support or respite care. The family simply cannot afford a live-in nurse or nursing home.
As I watched Cynthia fill her cart with groceries, it was clear how much these provisions meant to her. Without the pantry, the already overwhelming task of caring for her mother would be that much harder. The cost of food alone would be an unbearable burden. Her quiet strength and devotion are a testament to the love she pours into her caregiving, despite the sacrifices she has to make.
Drea, in her own words
"You don’t know how many people like Cynthia you’ve helped. I came to the pantry a year ago with a thousand problems, but thanks to you, my daughter and I have never gone hungry."
We're Growing
Our growth continues to astound us. Compared to this time last year, we’ve seen a staggering 154% increase in visitors. Each month, we provide groceries to over 2,100 families, and with this rapid pace, we need the community’s support now more than ever. Whether through donations, volunteering, leaving a legacy, or hosting a food drive, your help is essential to sustaining our efforts. As food costs have risen by an additional $4,000 each month, your contribution can make a critical difference in ensuring no one in our community goes hungry.