Mission statement
We Share Food Pantry exists to ensure that every family in Rice Lake and the surrounding Barron County area has reliable access to nutritious food, delivered with dignity, respect, and a sincere welcome. We pursue that mission through year-round food distribution, child and senior nutrition programs, community partnerships, and advocacy for the policies that address the root causes of hunger.
Our vision
A Barron County where food insecurity is rare, brief, and met with immediate, respectful support — and where the pantry's role is to walk alongside neighbors through hard chapters, not to define them.
How we work
We organize our work around four commitments. First, we lead with dignity: no income tests, no documentation requirements, no questions a guest is not ready to answer. Second, we offer real choice: our shopping-style distribution lets families select what fits their tastes, dietary needs, and culture. Third, we are transparent: our books are open, our impact reporting is in plain English, and our donors can always see where their money goes. Fourth, we partner widely: with schools, faith communities, regional food banks, county human services, local farms, and businesses.
Our promise to guests
When you walk into the pantry, you will be greeted by a volunteer who is glad to see you. We will ask for your name and household size. We will not ask for your income, your immigration status, or proof of hardship. You will choose your own groceries from real shelves, and you will leave with enough food to meaningfully help your family through the week.
Our promise to donors
When you give to We Share Food Pantry, your dollars are treated with the same care a family treats their own grocery budget. Roughly 92 cents of every dollar funds food, programs, and direct services. We publish an annual report, file public Form 990s, maintain a transparent profile on Charity Navigator, and welcome every donor question.
Beyond the pantry
Pantries treat the symptom of hunger; lasting change comes from policy. We advocate for strong federal nutrition programs, fair wages, accessible housing, and child care that allow families to thrive without needing a pantry. Our work is not finished until that day comes.