Last year, our food pantry distributed the equivalent of more than 1.351 million meals.
GivingTuesday
Thank You for Helping Us Surpass Our GivingTuesday Goal
Create Stability.
Here. Now. And For The Future.
When so much feels uncertain and unsettled, choose to be a source of stability in our community. Make a difference here at home by joining us to ensure that our neighbors have access to stable housing and nutritious food. Be a part of building a strong community where everyone has the stability to thrive.
GivingTuesday 2025 Update
75,000
GOAL
123,874
RAISED
179
DONORS
Join Us to #CreateStability
On #GivingTuesday, we’ll be working together throughout the day to fill our WayForward pantry shelf with a variety of nutritious foods and household essentials. Follow along for the fun on Facebook and Instagram as our community’s collective generosity takes the pantry shelf from empty to full with each increment raised toward our goal of $75,000.
Learn about our impact and hear from some of the people who have created stability in their lives and those of their families by participating in our programs. Watch for our challenge gift announcements that day to make your impact go even further.
78% of the people who receive food from our food programs are in households with children.
STORIES OF SUPPORT
Making Our Community Better for Us All
Jennifer Wagner gives to WayForward Resources because she believe everyone in our community should have access to food and stable housing to thrive.
Read More 
Bringing Dignity by Giving Families the Power to Choose
For Christopher Morris, supporting WayForward means giving people choice, respect, and a better path forward.
Read More 98% of participants in our housing stability program maintained housing + avoided eviction
50% of Dane County renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
"It helps to feel like you have people standing behind you, and you all did that for me."
- food pantry guest
STORIES OF STABILITY
Feeling Safe and Stabilized in New Beginnings
After years in an abusive relationship. Madeline* made the decision to leave her partner and get a fresh start for herself and her children. However, as a stay-at-home mom, she had no income, and her partner controlled the household finances. On her own, she couldn’t afford the apartment her family was living in.
Read More 
Maintaining Independence and Access to Nutritious Food
Sandra* has a disability that causes her a lot of pain. She relies on her electric wheelchair to get around and maintain independence. When Sandra's enhanced FoodShare benefits ended, she couldn't afford to buy both healthy food and pay her electric bill. Sandra faced a difficult choice: purchase food or keep her power on—the power she needed not just for basic living but also for her mobility.
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The Building Blocks of Stability
Jenna* had always ensured that she and her son had the basics covered – a safe place to sleep, enough food and funds to cover medical appointments, clothes and other essentials. Then last year, her apartment rent rose beyond what she could afford. The stability she had worked so hard to maintain disappeared and the little family suddenly found themselves homeless. “I was afraid, devastated, and demoralized,” Jenna said
Read More How WayForward Helps
"When I'm talking with neighbors who are extremely rent burdened (paying more than 50% of their income toward rent), strategizing how to survive, I often hear, 'at least I can get food,' and 'If it wasn't for the pantry, I wouldn't eat.'"
- WayForward Case Manager
