East Madison Community Center

Nutrition & Health

Food Pantry

The East Madison Community Center provides a “client choice” pantry each Tuesday for families residing in Dane County. Join us every Tuesday from noon – 2 pm. for our food pantry. On the 2nd Tuesday of the month toiletries are provided, and on the 4th Tuesday of the month toiletries, clothing, and household items are distributed.

  • Food Pantry Non-discrimination agreement
  • Emergency food available
  • Registration starts Tuesdays at 10 a.m.
  • What to Bring to the Food Pantry
    • Identification (driver’s license, State ID, passport, etc.)
    • Proof of Dane County Residency (utility bill, for example)
    • Am I eligible? (English, Hmong, Spanish)
Food Pantry/TEFAP Application
Client Pledge

Weekday Pantry

Emergency food items are available for adults to take as needed each day in the Center’s entryway. Items vary daily and may include canned goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, and refrigerated foods like yogurt and milk.

Kids Cafe

Kids Cafe

We provide daily meals to supplement our kids’ nutrition. Monday through Friday, we serve a healthy snack and dinner during the school year, as well as snack and lunch on Saturdays. In 2017, we served 15,883 meals.

Summer Meal Site

Each summer the EMCC serves as a meal site for children needing a nutritious meal during the summer months. This program is available at noon on Monday – Friday.

Truax Community Garden

Truax Community Garden

EMCC is home to the Truax Community Gardens, which includes a Kids Garden area. Eastside residents can rent one of 41 plots to grow their own food. Plots include half-size or full-size plots, and raised garden beds.

Fitness Room

Adult Fitness Room

Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Summer hours 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

Enjoy our free exercise and strength training equipment in our new and improved fitness room.

FIT Youth Initiative

FIT Youth Initiative

Youth learn about the benefits of exercise, healthy meal planning, safe food handling and preparation procedures, reading nutrition labels, making healthy eating choices, safely prepare and handle food, and other important skills. They also get moving with fun activities like swimming, basketball, rock climbing, walking, weightlifting, yoga, mindfulness, Tae Kwon Do, volleyball, dancing, jump roping, and much more!

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