Food is Free - Comida es Gratis


“If you need some, take some. If you have some, leave some.”

<<Si usted necesita algo, tome algo. Si usted tiene algo, deje algo.>>



Using the global Food Is Free model, which encourages community meals, growing food and the decentralization of food sources, the pantry is taking a new approach to combating hunger and food insecurity.

Utilizando el modelo global de Food Is Free, que fomenta las comidas comunitarias, el cultivo de alimentos y la descentralizacion de las fuentes de alimentos, esta dispensa está adoptando un nuevo enfoque para combatir el hambre y las inseguridades alimentarias.



Beaver Dam’s 24/7/365 food pantry and gardens are located in the S Madison St neighborhood.

Esta dispensa y sus jardines está disponible 7 dias/24 horas/365 dias del año ubicado en el vecindario de S Madison Street en Beaver Dam.

The Evolution of Food is Free in Beaver Dam

  • At the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, the community outreach program called Playground Movement was started to create a play area for the local children in the parking lot

  • The Playground Movement decided to do a food drive as part of Global Youth Service Day in 2018

  • Then it became a distribution site for the summer lunches through the school and on non-school days, at some times up to 67 meals to 25 households

  • Then someone wanted to bring our families milk, so we put a moo juice cooler on the patio and for 6 months it was frequently filled with Sassy Cow Creamery milk, funded by community donors

  • Soon there was food, baby formula, fruits, vegetables, and more space was needed. We made space in the entryway of the store

  • In collaboration with the UW Extension, Dodge County Master Gardeners, and the hospital, we started a community garden down the street . Lots of produce from the garden was donated to our informal pantry as well as from other gardeners in town.

  • In 2021, a local pastor and church congregation wanted to know help support the expansion of the pantry. She mentioned the Food is Free movement and that is the model we chose to follow. Food is Free is NOT meant to magnify the haves and the have nots, but to decentralize food sources, sharing, and community, sharing both food and meals

  • Grants from the United Way of Dodge County, United Health Care, and Security Health Plan, along with $5,500 in donations from individuals and families allowed for our renovation of the north corner of our building

  • Development of the inside space has been a continued community effort

    • two young women working on their scout badges have painted the area, put up shelves

    • an artist added a mural

    • a utility cart was built

  • A Matthew25 grant from Milwaukee Presbyterian provided funding for our new industrial fridge and freezer that we received in July of 2022, to accommodate large donations that we are offered from time to time

  • The response from the community and surrounding neighbors has been overwhelmingly generous and positive. Some food is brought every day. Others have donated money or other items of need.

  • Your continued donations are appreciated, and I am grateful you have taken the time to learn about our Food is Free endeavor!

Appreciatively,

Laura Goral

La Evolucion de Comida es Gratis en Beaver Dam

  • En la tienda Habitat for Humanity ReStore, un programa llamado Movimiento de Recreo se fundo para crear una area de juego para los jovenes locales en el estacionamiento

  • El Movimiento de Recreo decidio participar en una colecta de alimento como parte de Global Youth Service Day (Dia Global de Servicio Juvenil) en 2018

  • Despues nos hicimos sitio para distibuir almuerzos escolares en dias de no clases, unas veces hasta 67 comidas a 25 viviendas

  • Alguien queria donar leche, entonces pusimos enfriador en el patio y durante seis meses estaba lleno por donaciones comunitarios de leche de Sassy Cow Creamery

  • De pronto habia comida, formula para bebes, frutas, verduras, y era necesario mas espacio. Abrimos espacio en la entrada de la tienda

  • En colaboracion con la Universidad de Wisconsin, Jardineros Maestros del Condado de Dodge, y el hospital, empezamos un jardin comunitario. Muchos productos frescos del jardin se donaban a nuestra dispensa informal tanto como de otros jardineros locales

  • En 2021, una pastora local y su congregacion pidio ayudar expandir la dispensa. Ella menciono el movimiento Comida es Gratis y eso fue el modelo decidimos seguir. Comida es Gratis NO se trata de magnifar la diferencia entre los que tienen y los que no, sino que decentralizar los fondos de alimentos, su compartida, y formar apoyo dentro de la comunidad, compartiendo ambos alimento y comidas.

  • Por unas becas de United Way of Dodge County, United Health Care, y Security Health Plan, junto con unos $5500 en donaciones de individuos y familas nos permitio renovar la entrada de nuestro edificio

  • Desarrolar este espacio ha sido un esfuerzo cominitario continuo

    • dos jovenes pinto las paredes y pusieron estantes colgados

    • una artista pinto un mural

    • se construyo un carro utilitario

  • Una beca Mateo25 de Milwaukee Presbyterian nos permitio comprar refrigerador y congelador industrial que recibimos en julio de 2022, para acomodar donaciones grandes que recibimos de vez en cuando

  • La respuesta de la comunidad y nuestros vecinos ha sido abrumadoramente generosa y positiva. Algo esta donado a diario: alimentos, dinero, y otros articulos de neceidad

  • Estoy agradecida por su interes en Comida es Gratis y sus donaciones generosas

Sinceramente,

Laura Goral