The River Food Pantry serves thousands of people across Dane County who need help putting food on the table and accessing essential household supplies. On Saturday, October 3, the Madison-area community has another easy way to help.

Donations for Donuts returns to Monona for its seventh year, collecting food, personal care products, infant supplies and monetary donations for The River Food Pantry.

The drive-through donation event takes place Saturday, October 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Witkins Realty, 5320 Monona Drive in Monona, Wisconsin.

The concept is simple: bring a donation for The River Food Pantry and get a donut as a thank-you.

Helping The River Food Pantry Meet a Growing Community Need

The River Food Pantry provides food and other essential resources to people throughout Dane County. With its new facility providing additional capacity, the organization has more room to serve the community, but the need for those resources remains significant.

Justin Witkins of Witkins Realty joined DJ Fusion on 93.1 JAMZ to talk about Donations for Donuts and why supporting The River continues to be the purpose behind the annual event.

“There’s no shortage of a need in our community,” Witkins said. “We’re trying to raise money or raise food and supplies for those in our community that need a little bit of help this time of year.”

As colder weather approaches, supporting local organizations like The River becomes especially important for families and individuals already struggling to make ends meet.

What Can You Donate to The River Food Pantry?

While nonperishable food is welcome, Donations for Donuts also highlights necessities that people may not immediately think about when making a food pantry donation.

Some of the most helpful donations include:

• Infant formula and baby supplies
• Diapers
• Deodorant
• Toothpaste and other personal care products
• Nonperishable food and canned goods
• Monetary donations

There is no donation too small. Whether you arrive with a few personal care products, diapers, several cases of food or make a financial contribution, it all helps The River Food Pantry continue serving people in our community.

Drive Through, Donate and Grab a Donut

Donations for Donuts was created during the pandemic as a way to support The River Food Pantry while also highlighting local small businesses.

Seven years later, it has grown into an annual community tradition.

The event is designed to make donating easy. If you're short on time, simply drive through, hand off your donation and grab a donut. If you have more time, you're welcome to stick around.

Donuts will come from several Madison-area bakeries, including Lane's Bakery, Greenbush Bakery and Bloom Bake Shop, with options available for different dietary needs.

The event will also feature music, activities and yard games for kids.

Witkins said the event has distributed roughly 20 to 25 dozen donuts during a typical year, with the continued generosity of the community keeping Donations for Donuts going.

“It is humbling every single year, the outpouring of support for The River Food Pantry,” he said.

Donations for Donuts 2026 Event Details

Saturday, October 3, 2026
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Witkins Realty
5320 Monona Drive
Monona, WI

Bring food, infant supplies, personal care products or make a monetary donation benefiting The River Food Pantry.

Then grab a donut as a thank-you for helping your neighbors.

The donuts make it fun, but the reason behind the event is much bigger: supporting The River Food Pantry and helping ensure people throughout our community have access to food and essential supplies when they need them.