Our Impact
Together, we’re building a strong community where everyone has access to stable housing and enough nutritious food to thrive.
Annual Report 2024-2025
We bring our community together to create food and housing security through action and advocacy.
14,980
people served in our programs last year
4,431
households used our programs
79
of people we served were in households with children
Food Security + Clothing Center
Total Expenses: $4,269,381
We offered in-person shopping five days a week, while providing deliveries and mobile food pantries two times a month for people unable to come to the pantry. We also continued to offer access to food for holiday meals and through our emergency food bags. Our free Clothing Center operated four days a week.
1,621,668
pounds of food distributed (the equivalent of 1,351,392 meals)
124,692
visits to food pantry
1,774
food deliveries to households
4,315
pounds of produce harvested from our gardens
831
households received groceries during the week before Thanksgiving
58,889
visits to the clothing center
“It helps to feel like you have people standing behind you.”
-Wayforward client email
Housing + Other Stability Programs
Total Expenses: $1,518,854
Our housing stabilization programs focused on keeping people in their homes so they could avoid eviction and the trauma of homelessness. Case managers worked with individuals and families to provide financial assistance, connections to resources, and other support. Our Connections program, funded in part by Dane County Department of Human Services, helped people who are living doubled up without housing of their own to find stability.
662
households received housing stability funds
98
of program participants maintained stable housing for a year or longer
844,000
in direct assistance provided
621
students pre-k to college received backpacks and school supplies
6
full-time housing-dedicated staff provided case management services
Financial Data & Reporting
Financial Donations + Other Income
$1,963,406
Individual Support
$1,272,499
Grants + Foundations
$239,070
Business + Other Organization
$206,267
Events (gross)
$98,497
Other Income
Total Support
52%
Financial Donations + Other Income
48%
In-Kind Donations
Partnerships matter
Community partners make our work possible, including businesses, community centers, faith communities, foundations, grocery stores, government, individual donors and volunteers, school districts, Second Harvest Food Bank, United Way, and other nonprofits.
Community Support
1,171
volunteers
27,182
volunteer hours
13
full-time paid staff equivalent contributed by volunteer hours
We are experiencing the highest demand in our over 40-year history.
4
times as many visits to the food pantry since four years ago
161
more funds invested in our housing programs than we were just five years ago
6
times as much money spent purchasing food as we were just five years ago
"Working with WayForward was purely a lifeline."
Carlito and his wife, Erin, found themselves struggling to pay rent and buy food after Carlito’s temporary job ended and a more permanent position didn’t provide enough hours. Having run out of options, someone suggested that WayForward might be able to help. Carlito reached out, and the couple connected with a case manager who worked with them to provide one-time eviction prevention funds to cover their rent, which allowed them to stay in their home. They also began visiting the food pantry to help fill the gaps in their budget. Carlito says the experience has changed his life.
Three Ways to Engage
Hold A Food Drive
Collect a variety of shelf-stable food items to help keep our shelves stocked and give pantry visitors the dignity of choice. Click below to view a list of our current needs.
Learn More 
Volunteer
One-time and ongoing volunteer roles are available in our food pantry, gardens and at special events for individuals and groups.
Learn More 
Give
Build food and housing stability with a financial contribution. Let us know about grant opportunities and company matches that align with our mission.
Learn More