Nourishing neighbors.
Building community.
We Share Food Pantry Inc. provides nutritious food and warm welcome to families across Rice Lake and Barron County, Wisconsin. No appointments, no judgment, no income test — just food on the table when your family needs it most.
- Meals / yr
- 1.1M+
- Families
- 3,800
- Volunteers
- 200+
501(c)(3) Nonprofit
IRS-recognized public charity · EIN 39-1575345
Serving since 1996
Nearly 30 years in Barron County, WI
100% local impact
Every dollar stays in our community
Transparent finances
Rated on Charity Navigator
Our mission
Food is a right. Dignity is non-negotiable.
For nearly three decades, We Share Food Pantry has served families across Rice Lake and the surrounding Barron County area. We believe no neighbor should choose between groceries and rent, between dinner and medicine. Our work is rooted in dignity: every guest who walks through our door is met with respect, real choice in what they take home, and a sincere welcome from people who are glad to see them.
What we do
Weekly walk-in food distribution, senior nutrition boxes, Weekend Backpack Program for kids, mobile pantries in outlying towns, and holiday meal boxes for the families we serve.
Who we serve
Any neighbor in Rice Lake and Barron County who needs food — no appointment, no income test, no proof of hardship. Just a warm welcome and real choice.
How we're funded
Community donations, local grants, Feeding America partnerships, and a volunteer army of 200+ neighbors. Every $1 becomes 4 meals through wholesale purchasing power.
How we help
From weekly walk-in distribution to our Weekend Backpack Program for kids, we meet families where they are.
Get food assistance
Walk in during open hours. No appointment, no income test, no judgment. We will help you find what your family needs.
Learn how it works →Programs for every age
Weekend Backpack for kids, senior nutrition boxes, mobile pantries, and holiday meals — all built around real community needs.
Explore programs →Volunteer with us
Sort, pack, drive, greet, garden, lead. Volunteer shifts range from one hour to a full day, with meaningful work for nearly every ability.
Join the team →Your support
$1 becomes 4 meals through our wholesale partnerships.
Every dollar you give goes further at the pantry than it does at the grocery store. Through regional food bank partnerships, we turn $20 into 80 meals for our neighbors.
In our community
The neighbors we serve
Hunger has a face — many faces. Every box of food we distribute reaches a real family navigating real circumstances.
Testimonials
Voices from our community
Real words from the neighbors, volunteers, and partners who make this pantry what it is.
I came in scared the first time. I left feeling like part of a family. Now I volunteer every Tuesday.
Maria
Guest turned volunteer
My grandkids never miss a Friday backpack. That program is the reason our weekends work.
Linda
Grandmother of three
Our business has donated for ten years. The team is exceptional and the dollars genuinely stretch.
Sarah
Local business owner
After my husband passed, the senior box program kept me eating right. The volunteers feel like family now.
Eleanor
Senior guest, 74
I bring my daughter every Saturday. She's learning that showing up for your neighbors is just what you do.
James
Weekly volunteer
We give monthly because we trust where the money goes. The annual report is refreshingly clear.
The Nguyen family
Monthly donors
From the blog
All articles →Healthy Meals on a Budget: A Family Guide
Stretch your grocery dollars without sacrificing nutrition with these family-tested strategies.
Read article →Reducing Food Waste at Home: 12 Habits That Work
Households throw out nearly a third of the food they buy. Here is how to keep more of it on your table.
Read article →Volunteer Spotlight: How Nancy Built Friday Distribution
From card tables to a thriving Friday distribution, Nancy's story is one of quiet, steady leadership.
Read article →Find us in Rice Lake
We Share Food Pantry serves Rice Lake and surrounding Barron County communities. Walk in during open hours — no appointment needed.
We Share Food Pantry Inc.PO BOX 54
Rice Lake, WI 54868
(715) 234-7866
info@wesfp.org
FAQ
Questions we hear often
Quick answers to the most common questions from guests, donors, and volunteers. Don't see yours? Read the full FAQ or ask us directly.
Do I need an appointment or proof of income?
No. Walk in during open hours. We don't ask for income verification, and there is no application. Bring an ID if you have one; if you don't, we still serve you.
How is $1 = 4 meals possible?
Through Feeding America and regional food bank partnerships, we buy food at wholesale rates far below retail. Cash donations stretch dramatically farther than an equivalent grocery-store purchase.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes. We Share Food Pantry Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 39-1575345). You'll receive a receipt for any donation of any amount.
Can I volunteer with my kids or teens?
Absolutely. Kids under 14 volunteer alongside a parent or guardian. Teens 14+ can join independently. We have shifts for nearly every age and ability.
What food do you accept?
Non-perishable pantry staples, sealed personal care items, and fresh produce from home gardens. Please, no expired items, home-canned goods, or opened packages.
Do you serve people outside Rice Lake?
Yes — anyone in Barron County and surrounding communities is welcome. Our mobile pantry also visits several outlying towns each month.
Stay in touch
One short email a month with stories, volunteer needs, and ways to help. No spam, ever.