The FOOD Pantry Serving Waukesha County

What The FOOD Pantry Serving Waukesha County does

The FOOD Pantry Serving Waukesha County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1978 and headquartered in Waukesha, Wisconsin, dedicated to alleviating food insecurity for residents of Waukesha County. Its core function is the receipt, storage, and distribution of donated and government-procured food to individuals and households facing food insecurity. In FY2025, the organization served 9,399 individuals across 3,568 households through 111,733 visits, and in 2024 distributed approximately 1,435,500 pounds of food, with FY2025 distribution exceeding $4 million in fair-market value. The paid operational team is small (10 staff), but the organization mobilizes a substantial volunteer base of 966 individuals, which functions as the primary labor force for intake, sorting, and distribution.

The business model is that of a community-supported nonprofit: there is no pricing or fee-for-service component. Operating support is generated through a mix of individual donations, corporate sponsorships, grants, and government funding channels including TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program), which provides federally procured food at low or no cost. Programmatic food expenditures were $380,950 in 2024, materially below the fair-market value of food distributed, indicating heavy leverage from in-kind contributions. The organization's long-term capital position was strengthened by a $3.5 million endowment gift from Karen and Dick Vaughn, providing a base for sustained or expanded operations.

Operationally, the pantry competes on local presence and donor trust rather than on technology or product differentiation. Geographic scope is restricted to Waukesha County, which provides efficient scale but caps addressable market. No technology platform, AI/ML system, or proprietary tooling is described in the available data; operations appear to rely on conventional nonprofit infrastructure (donor CRM, manual or semi-automated inventory). The principal strategic variables are donor concentration, volunteer retention, and continued access to in-kind food supply through federal and corporate channels.

Name

The FOOD Pantry Serving Waukesha County

Legal name

Food Pantry of Waukesha County, Inc.

Website

https://waukeshafoodpantry.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The FOOD Pantry Serving Waukesha County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1978 that distributes donated and federally procured food to food-insecure residents of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. In FY2025 it served 9,399 individuals across 3,568 households with support from a 10-person staff and 966 volunteers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Assistance Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421), Community Food Services (624210)

akta.pro primary industry

Food & Nutrition Assistance Programs (BPAIAKAF)

Keywords

• Food assistance services
• Emergency food distribution
• Food recovery programs
• Nutrition assistance
• Hunger relief services

Headquarters

HQ city

Waukesha

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute monetary gifts to maintain consistent food supplies from season to season. Donations are tax-deductible and processed through Network for Good or by mail.
2. Corporate & Business Partnerships: Local businesses support through food drives, grant funding, sponsorships, event hosting, and in-kind donations of services or products.
3. Federal Nutrition Programs (TEFAP): Distribution of commodity foods through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), a federally funded USDA program administered through the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services, in partnership with Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin.
4. Food Recovery Program: Partnerships with local grocery stores, food manufacturers, and distributors to collect surplus food that would otherwise be discarded, reducing disposal costs while providing food to clients.
5. Community Food Drives: Schools, businesses, churches, and community groups organize food drives throughout the year, donating food items to stock pantry shelves.
6. Special Events & Fundraisers: Annual events such as The Breakfast Club, Drafts & Distinctions, golf outings, and the 40th Anniversary celebration raise funds through ticket sales, auctions, and sponsorships.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The FOOD Pantry Serving Waukesha County provides free groceries, food recovery, and nutrition support to income-eligible residents of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Its core service is grocery distribution through walk-up, drive-through, online pre-order pickup, and senior home delivery, supplemented by specialized programs including the Special Diet Program, Baby Care & Personal Care, Special Occasions & Celebrations, Food Recovery from local retailers, TEFAP federal commodity distribution (for which it serves as county hub), the Stockbox/Commodity Supplemental Food Program for seniors, FoodShare (SNAP) outreach, the Summer Meals Program, and the Online Pantry ordering system.

Product overview

The FOOD Pantry Serving Waukesha County operates as a single-service nonprofit organization focused on food assistance rather than a technology platform. Its core offering is grocery distribution, supported by multiple specialized programs including the Special Diet Program (accommodating dietary needs), Baby Care & Personal Care (providing infant formula, diapers, and supplies), Special Occasions & Celebrations (holiday meal programs), and the Food Recovery Program (rescuing surplus food from retailers). Additional programs include Stockbox DoorDash Delivery and FoodShare Outreach for eligibility assistance. The organization serves as the TEFAP hub for Waukesha County and offers an Online Pantry ordering system. No commercial product portfolio, modules, or technology platform exists.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Grocery Distribution

Quantifiable outcome

• Served 9,399 individuals and 3,568 households in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

44 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AvnetminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Hosted a 2025 golf outing, donating $14,000 to support The FOOD Pantry's operation.
• Oliver ConstructionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Hosted a 2024 golf outing, raising $11,700 to support The FOOD Pantry's mission.
• Compost CrusadersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2022Contracts with Compost Crusaders to compost organic materials (fruits and vegetables) that cannot be distributed to clients, diverting waste from landfills to Blue Ribbon Organics in Caledonia, WI. 64,200 lbs composted since June 2022.
• Waukesha County Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Founded Waukesha County Provides in 2016, a fundraising initiative supporting four county-wide basic needs agencies including The FOOD Pantry, Hebron House of Hospitality, Hope Center, and The Women's Center.
• ProHealth CarecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014ProHealth Care Garden at Waukesha Memorial has cultivated and donated 7,600 pounds of produce since 2014. Also provides outreach nurses and recognizes The FOOD Pantry as an advocate sponsor.
• Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin (CAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAC manages distribution of TEFAP food with Waukesha County non-profit TEFAP recipients while The FOOD Pantry provides warehouse space and delivery logistics support for dry goods, frozen items, fresh produce, and milk distribution to local agencies.
• Hunger Task ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with USDA and The FOOD Pantry to administer the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (Stockbox), distributing pre-packed boxes of shelf stable foods to income-eligible seniors 60 years and older monthly.
• Feeding AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational food recovery partnership allowing The FOOD Pantry to rescue surplus food from local businesses, farmers, and grocery stores that would otherwise be discarded, distributing to clients while reducing landfill waste.
• ARR ( cardboard recycling)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerARR provides a 30-yard dumpster for cardboard recycling, collects filled dumpsters, mills cardboard at their Waukesha plant, and pays The FOOD Pantry for the material. 39.59 tons recycled in 2024.
• NexTrexminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArranges recycling of stretch plastic which is made into Trex decking. The FOOD Pantry received a Trex furniture bench after recycling 1,000+ pounds of plastic in one year.
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 494minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated and installed $6,300 in LED lighting for the warehouse in partnership with Atec Electric, improving visibility and reducing energy costs by approximately $1,400 per year.
• MeijercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeijer Simply Give program provides $42,900 in food gift cards in 2024. Double match days mean every $10 card purchased results in $30 for The FOOD Pantry. Total of $297,900 in support since 2016.
• Kohl's CarescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwarded $25,000 grant in 2024 to support The FOOD Pantry's food purchasing capabilities.
• Froedtert & the Medical College of WisconsinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributed $9,500 for food purchases in 2024 and served as a 'Friend' sponsor at the annual fundraising event. Also provides outreach nurses for immunization clinics and connects clients with cancer screenings.
• Wilde SubarucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubaru Share the Love Event has generated $408,800 since 2015 from new vehicle purchases, leases, and maintenance. Campaign runs November 20, 2025 to January 2, 2026.
• Eaton CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGarden of Eaton has cultivated and donated nearly 10,000 pounds of produce since 2016. Company served as Champion Sponsor at 2024 and 2025 annual fundraising events.
• Woodman'sminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided $3,900 in grants or food gift cards in 2024 to support food purchasing.
• Good HarvestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided $2,850 in grants or food gift cards in 2024 to support food purchasing.
• Gwenyn Hill FarmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffers gleaning opportunities for The FOOD Pantry; 670 pounds donated in 2024 and 1,070 pounds gleaned in 2025.
• Pure FarmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated over 280 pounds of hydroponically grown lettuce to The FOOD Pantry.
• Silgan ContainersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated 29,500 pounds of canned soup to The FOOD Pantry in 2025 through organized food drives.
• Seneca Foods CorpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated 23,000 pounds of canned vegetables to The FOOD Pantry in 2025.
• Marian MilwaukeeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated nearly 1,000 pounds of food and $20,775 in employee and corporate match funds in 2025.
• Central Office ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides ongoing IT support valued at over $3,000 to reduce operational costs.
• CityPressminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated printing services for the annual fundraising event.
• Lakeland Supply & Home DepotminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided boxes and packing supplies essential for food distribution operations.
• Eras Senior NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteers assist eligible seniors and adults with disabilities by delivering food prepared by The FOOD Pantry for clients experiencing food insecurity.
• Waukesha Free CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDuring appointment scheduling, staff assess food needs. If needed, The FOOD Pantry prepares groceries for pick-up which Clinic staff distribute during medical visits.
• Waukesha County Public Health & Waukesha School District Social WorkerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinates with social workers to provide food to families during emergencies or special circumstances.
• DoorDash via Hunger Task ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeniors eligible for the Stockbox program and living within 10 miles of the pantry can receive monthly food deliveries through this service.
• Equus Workforce SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with The FOOD Pantry to connect clients seeking employment or job training with FoodShare Employment & Training (FSET) services during pantry hours.
• United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeads the Backpack Coalition; The FOOD Pantry distributed 484 of the 3,000 backpacks given out in Waukesha County in 2024, and will distribute 500 backpacks in 2025 valued at $70 each.
• Hebron Housing ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceives TEFAP food and prepared food donations from The FOOD Pantry. One of four agencies in the Waukesha County Provides campaign.
• Hope CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceives TEFAP food and prepared food donations from The FOOD Pantry. One of four agencies in the Waukesha County Provides campaign.
• Waukesha Salvation ArmycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceives TEFAP food from The FOOD Pantry as part of the hub distribution network.
• The Women's CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceives TEFAP food from The FOOD Pantry. One of four agencies in the Waukesha County Provides campaign.
• Sussex Outreach ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceives TEFAP food from The FOOD Pantry as a Waukesha County TEFAP recipient agency.
• Friends with FoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceives TEFAP food from The FOOD Pantry as a Waukesha County TEFAP recipient agency.
• Waukesha CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe third most populated county in Wisconsin; The FOOD Pantry serves residents county-wide. County Board Chair and Supervisors actively support and participate in events.
• Milwaukee Wave Indoor Soccer TeamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered for princesses and superheroes themed soccer game. For every ticket purchased in the name of The FOOD Pantry, the Wave donated $5. Total of 711 pounds of food collected.
• Current ElectricminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-time superhero partner who generously donated a block of Wave game tickets to La Casa de Esperanza for children from their Early Education Program.
• La Casa de EsperanzaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceived donated tickets from Current Electric to attend the Milwaukee Wave game along with their families.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides federal funding and food products through TEFAP and Commodity Supplemental Food Program. Administered through State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
• State of Wisconsin Department of Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministers TEFAP federal nutrition program in partnership with USDA and Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Others

• DoorDash: Last-mile delivery platform partnering with Hunger Task Force to deliver Stockbox food to The FOOD Pantry's senior clients within 10 miles. Comparable as a technology-enabled distribution partner enabling the pantry's senior home delivery program.
• United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County: Lead organization of the Backpack Coalition with which The FOOD Pantry distributes 484 of 3,000 backpacks in Waukesha County. Comparable as a strategic funding and coalition partner rather than a direct competitor, addressing overlapping community needs through aligned missions.
• FoodShare Wisconsin (Wisconsin Department of Health Services): Wisconsin's SNAP administration program that The FOOD Pantry helps clients access via FoodShare Outreach. Comparable as the complementary federal-state nutrition assistance program whose clients overlap with food pantry recipients.

Regional players

• Midwest Food Bank: Regional food bank operating across multiple Midwest states with food distribution to partner pantries. Comparable as a regional food bank with similar food recovery, disaster relief, and pantry distribution models, though serving different geographies.
• Northern Illinois Food Bank: Food bank serving 13 counties in northern Illinois. Comparable as a Feeding America network regional food bank with similar mobile pantry, food recovery, and partner agency distribution models in a geographically adjacent but separate market.
• Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin: Regional food bank serving 16 counties in southwestern Wisconsin. Comparable as a Feeding America network food bank operating in Wisconsin with similar pantry distribution and food recovery models, though in a different geographic territory.

Direct peers

• Hunger Task Force: Milwaukee-based food bank that administers the Stockbox program in partnership with The FOOD Pantry and USDA. Directly comparable as a Wisconsin-based community food bank serving similar low-income populations with federal nutrition program administration.
• Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin: Regional Feeding America affiliate serving eastern Wisconsin including food pantry distribution partnerships. Directly comparable as a regional food bank operating in overlapping Wisconsin geography with similar food recovery and pantry support models.

Broad incumbents

• Society of St. Vincent de Paul: National Catholic charity operating food pantries and emergency assistance programs nationwide. Comparable as a broad incumbent in community food assistance with a thrift-store-funded operating model serving similar low-income populations.
• The Salvation Army: National nonprofit with food assistance programs at the local level, including Waukesha Salvation Army which receives TEFAP food from The FOOD Pantry. Comparable as a broad social services incumbent offering food assistance alongside other emergency services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FoodPantryServingWaukeshaCounty
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/food-pantry-of-waukesha-county

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The FOOD Pantry Serving Waukesha County