Nourishing Community: Inside the CMC Food Pantry and Meal Program

At the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC), nourishment means more than providing food — it means honoring dignity, culture, and belonging. The CMC Food Pantry welcomes Dane County residents every Tuesday afternoon and Thursday morning, many of whom are immigrant families newly establishing roots in our community. Guests shop the pantry and choose foods that best fit their household size, traditions, and dietary needs. Staff intentionally stock staples like milk, eggs, meat, oil, and fresh produce — much of it grown in the CMC garden — alongside culturally appropriate items including halal meat. In 2025, the pantry served 1,750 individuals across 709 households through 9,685 visits, distributing over 139,000 pounds of food, including 17,130 pounds of meat and nearly 2,000 pounds of halal meat. A Personal Essentials Pantry further supported 1,674 individuals with 12,748 household and hygiene items, helping families stretch limited budgets and maintain stability at home.

Just down the hall, a warm meal and welcoming conversation await every weekday afternoon. The CMC’s free evening meal program serves anyone in need offering coffee at 3:00 p.m. and a balanced dinner at 4:00 p.m. prepared by volunteers from local churches, schools, businesses, and community groups. In 2025, volunteers provided 12,645 meals to an average of 220 neighbors each month, including individuals working hard to make ends meet and about 25% experiencing homelessness. For many, the meal is not only reliable nutrition but also a place of connection and dignity. As Meal Program Coordinator Armando Olivares shares, “The great thing about our meal is that it is neighbors helping neighbors, and through the interactions that happen, both volunteers and guests are transformed.”

Through both pantry and meal programs, the CMC lives out Catholic Charities’ commitment to nourishing neighbors — body and spirit. By combining access to culturally appropriate groceries, personal essentials, and welcoming daily meals, the CMC ensures families can remain housed, individuals can stay healthy, and neighbors can find community around a shared table.