Goodman Community Center | How to Shop at the Fritz Food Pantry
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The pantry is open three days a week to anyone who needs it. We provide a mix of fresh produce and dairy products, eggs, meat and dry goods. As much as we can, we try to meet special dietary needs for low-sugar, low-salt, gluten-free and cultural foods.

All are welcome. There is no pre-registration process.

Fritz Food Pantry Hours:

  • Tuesday 9 am–noon
  • Wednesday 5:30 pm–8 pm
  • Thursday 12 pm –3 pm

We hand out lottery entry numbers 10 minutes before pantry opens. After the lottery is done, anyone who arrives later will enter in order of arrival. There is no advantage to arriving before the lottery begins.

To ensure you have sufficient time to shop please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to our closing time.

Pantry FAQ's

Common questions about using GCC's pantry.

Where is the pantry located?

The Fritz Food Pantry is located in our Ironworks building (149 Waubesa St.). Please enter through the food pantry door, located near the basketball courts. If you drive, feel free to park in the Ironworks parking lot and then follow the signs to the pantry entrance.

How often can I shop the pantry?

Shoppers/households can visit our pantry once a week. Household is defined as anyone who eats and lives together.

Who can use the pantry?

Anyone is welcome to use the pantry. There are no restrictions or income requirements.

How does the shopping process work?

Our pantry is a shopping/choice model, which means you pick what you want. Some items have limits, based on your household size.

Will there still be food if I don't arrive at opening time?

We work hard to make sure there is plenty of food — good quality and lots of variety — throughout the entire pantry shift.

All customers will have access to our pantry's variety of goods, no matter when they choose to shop.

Is there a way to shop quickly?

If you are short on time or prefer a faster visit, you can use our Rapid Pantry. A non-perishable bag will be prepacked from the pantry offerings and clients get to choose from a set selection of perishable items.

Do you deliver?

The pantry does not have the capacity to deliver. You are welcome to send a loved one to shop on your behalf.

What if I need extra assistance?

Volunteers are and staff are on hand to assist shoppers.

The pantry team has a variety of strategies to support customers of all language backgrounds:

  • Direction and food item translations in languages like Spanish, Mandarin and French.
  • Non-verbal communication like pictures and set gestures.
  • Use of translation apps.
  • Bilingual volunteers to help with shopping and registration.
In case of inclement weather

Goodman Community Center, including the food pantry, will be closed if Madison schools close due to snow. For the safety of all, the pantry may pause in the case of tornado or severe thunderstorm warnings.

If the Madison Schools are closed as a result of a planned closure, Goodman Community Center will determine if closure is necessary due to inclement weather. On days with weather advisories check our website or Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.

What should I expect for my first visit?

You do NOT need to sign up before you come.

Please plan to register every adult in your household. We may ask for an ID to make registration smoother, but it is not required. Any info collected is for pantry use only. We do not keep demographic info.

The pantry can be very busy. Please be prepared for a bit of a wait until you are able to register and enter the pantry to choose your food.

The guides below are in both English and Spanish. Las guías a continuación están en inglés y español.

First Time Visitor Guide More Info for First-Time Shoppers

Registration Form

Customers or their proxy can fill out, print and bring their registration form to speed up their registration process. If you choose to fill out your form ahead of time, you must bring it with you and present it to the pantry team to register. Completing this form ahead of time does not equate to registering ahead of time. GCC's pantry does not have a pre-registration process.

English Form Forma española

Goodman Menders: A free community service

Bring your loose buttons, torn clothes and long hems — a group of skilled volunteers will fix up your fabrics! Notable exception: No zipper repairs.

This is a drop in service open to all. No advanced sign ups or scheduling. Visit the activities calendar to find the next Menders date.

For more information about the Fritz Food Pantry please contact:

Allison Dungan

Food Pantry Manager
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