OUR MISSION
Serve our area families and individuals with compassionate acts of love. Encourage, educate, and nourish our children as a servant-hearted expression of Jesus Christ
NUESTRA MISION
Servir a familias e individuos de nuestra zona con compasivos actos de amor. Alentar,educar y nutrir a nuestros niños como una expresión de Jesucristo sirviendo de corazón.
ABOUT
US
Extended Hands Pantry is a volunteer-driven, faith-based, non-profit organization with a two-fold purpose. To provide groceries and other household items to those in need, and to provide a light afterschool meal for children in low-income neighborhoods.
Our food pantry puts an emphasis on providing culturally appropriate foods.
Low reading and math achievement are still the rule for many children, In today's knowledge economy, success in school equips children with the tools to become tomorrow's leaders in our communities.
Contact us to learn more and get involved.
Meet The Team
For over 25 years Andy & Jenny have worked tirelessly to battle hunger. Starting in 2000 they organized monthly dinners and other events in low-income neighborhoods. In 2005, Andy & Jenny founded The River Food Pantry, a faith based non-profit, on Madison's north side, turning a small startup into the largest food pantry in Dane County. In her 12 years as Executive Director at The River Food Pantry Jenny developed a deep understanding of food insecurity and comprehensive knowledge of local food systems and food needs. Andy worked part time at The River and then full time when he retired from teaching in 2012.
Over time Andy & Jenny became more concerned with childhood nutrition and its effect on learning. In 2016, they successfully conceived a lunch program, MUNCH, which would deliver nutritious lunches to several low income neighborhoods on the days when school was not in session. Andy & Jenny left The River in December of 2017.
Since then childhood nutrition and tutoring have become a focus for Andy & Jenny. They created a new non-profit, Extended Hands Pantry which has been providing healthy after school snacks and a light meal at the Packer and Northport Community Learning Centers along with also tutoring children. Andy and Jenny also tutored at the Mt Zion Baptist Church's Academic Learning Center during the 2019 – 2020 school year.
In 2020 during the Covid-19 crisis Extended Hands Pantry developed a partnership with Lighthouse Church and School to provide groceries, once a week, in a curbside pantry in the school parking lot. This new food pantry has been serving over 600 each week. We moved into a new, indoor space in 2023 where our shoppers are able to completely choose all their own food in a respectful and dignified manner. The food pantry is open to anyone in Dane County.
Staff
Board of Directors
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Milsa Velazquez
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Jim Bolt
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Anna Campbell
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Fred Campbell
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Andy Czerkas
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Jenny Czerkas
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Megan Davis
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David Gibson
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Rick Miles
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Milsa Tejeda
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Pat Wongkit
In loving memory of Board Member
Ric Hoertz
Who passed away peacefully, Thursday November 16 at Agrace Hospice.
Ric was a dedicated and passionate leader who brought immense value to our organization during his time in Extended Hands Pantry Board. Ric was a multifaceted individual with a rich history of professional and personal achievements. As a business manager at Asbury Church and Owner/President of Rubicon Systems, he brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our organization. He also have a background in marketing, sales, and engineering, having worked at Allied Healthcare Products and Ohio Medical Products.
But more than his professional accomplishments, Ric was a man of strong Christian faith, which guided his personal and business life.